The Department of Agriculture (DA) has created a single project management office (PMO) to oversee two major reform programs funded by the World Bank. The move aims to improve coordination, speed up implementation, and strengthen oversight.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the unified PMO will help ensure the programs are carried out efficiently and deliver clear results. He added that stronger coordination is needed to turn development funding into real gains for the agriculture sector.
The PMO will manage the Philippines Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (PSAT) Program and the Technical Assistance for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (TASAT) Project. PSAT releases funds based on performance targets, while TASAT provides technical support for reforms—linking financing to the DA’s ability to meet goals.
A project director will lead the office, with a deputy handling daily operations and ensuring compliance. Specialized units will focus on key reform areas tied to funding conditions set by the World Bank. These units will work with teams from across the DA, covering areas like rice, high-value crops, logistics, and internal services.
A support team will handle finance, procurement, and staffing to keep operations running smoothly and meet both government and donor requirements. Dedicated finance and procurement units are expected to help prevent delays, a common issue in public projects.
The new structure is meant to fix coordination problems and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. While added monitoring and audit systems could improve accountability, stricter compliance rules may also slow implementation.
Funding for the PMO will come from project budgets and existing DA resources, subject to government audit rules. The order takes effect immediately as part of efforts to modernize agriculture, boost productivity, and improve food security.
