Taraka, a poor town by the shores of Lake Lanao, is living up to expectations as the model town for self-reliant rural development in Lanao del Sur with the conduct of a public and transparent bidding for the P215-M Solar-Powered Irrigation and Water Supply Projects earlier this week.
Also included in the public bidding conducted by a well-organized Bids and Awards Committee was the supply of road building equipment which was included in the loan granted by the Development Bank of the Philippines.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) which assisted the Taraka Local Government in preparing and packaging the SPIS, SPWS and equipment procurement program observed the proceedings.
When completed, the Solar-Powered Water Supply System will serve the potable water needs of the community which has relied on the Taraka River for their water needs for generations.
The six units of Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) will also provide water to an estimated 1,000 hectares of rice farms of the town where farmers could only harvest once a year.
The equipment and road building machinery will also facilitate the construction of roads in the town to facilitate the transport of goods.
Taraka Mayor Nashida Sumagayan and her husband, Odin, who is also the Vice Mayor, were the first local officials to approach MinDA for assistance in availing of the MinDA Water Supply Program during the launching in Davao City Dec. 6 last year.
MinDA Water Supply Program was designed to provide water supply systems both for drinking and irrigation to local government units in Mindanao using their own funds.
MinDA, the Department of Interior and Local Governments and the Development Bank of the Philippines are the agencies behind the MinDA Water Supply Program.
MinDA is currently assisting Taraka in establishing a database of all of its residents and farmer beneficiaries of the Solar-Powered Irrigation System which is vital in ensuring the success of the project.
MinDA is also helping Taraka in organizing its Economic Enterprise Office which will manage the projects, collect water and irrigation fees to cover the payment of the loans.
MinDA has identified Taraka as its model town for comprehensive and well-planned rural development program in Mindanao, especially in the Bangsamoro Area.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#TouchGroundFeelThePulse!
(First photo shows a model of the Solar-Powered Irrigation System which was introduced by the Department of Agriculture when I was Secretary. Remaining photos show the bids and awards committee of Taraka opening the bids earlier this week. With reports from Bailyn Pinote)
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