The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), led by its Investments for Local and National Level Planning (I-PLAN) component, through close cooperation with the Province of Northern Samar, successfully hosted the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) Assessment on November 12-13, 2025 at Catarman, Northern Samar.

The opening day centered on establishing a common direction for the PRDP Scale-Up implementation. Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships with Local Government Units (LGUs) and ensuring that development interventions remain responsive to the needs of local communities. Updates on Region 8’s Value Chain Analysis (VCA) and the status of the province’s PCIP were likewise presented, providing participants with a clear lens on the current landscape of priority commodities, including coconut, abaca, and seaweed.

A major component of Day 1 was the series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), which allowed participants from LGUs, the private sector, and national government agencies to collaboratively examine gaps, opportunities, and future directions for commodity development. These sessions enabled a deeper understanding of sector-specific challenges and fostered a shared commitment to refine investment plans and strategies.

On the second day, participants reconvened for the plenary presentation of results from the FGDs. The synthesis highlighted the strengths of the province’s existing PCIP, identified areas requiring enhancement, and underscored the value of continued stakeholder involvement. The activity concluded with a session on ways forward, reinforcing collective dedication to strengthening agricultural value chains and maximizing the province’s commodity potential.

The successful conduct of the PCIP Assessment in Northern Samar demonstrates the province’s proactive engagement in planning and implementing agricultural development efforts. By fostering collaboration, refining local investment plans, and ensuring evidence-based decision-making, the province moves closer to improving rural livelihoods and driving more resilient and inclusive economic growth.