Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol expressed confidence that the P27.5 billion Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) will contribute to the Duterte administration’s aim of making sure that public funds are used properly.
“I believe the PRDP is in sync with the advocacy of President Duterte to get rid of corruption in government,” Piñol said.
With a total funding of P27.5 billion, the PRDP is a six-year flagship rural development strategy designed to create a platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.
It is expected to help create more economic opportunities in rural communities, hence increasing family incomes.
“The World Bank has been very stringent on its policy to get rid of corruption and in implementing its projects.
There has always been clear policy that there should be no corruption,” Piñol said.
“I know this because I started with the MRDP (Mindanao Rural Development Program) as early as 1998. I was one of the first players of the MRDP as governor of North Cotabato,” he added.
MRDP is the predecessor of the PRDP.
“With the culture of no corruption, we are contributing to changing the culture of the Philippine political leaders,” Piñol said. (Ellalyn de Vera)