V2I5P36

Community Infrastructure Development Support Project: Its Effects on the Community’s Productivity in Tacurong City    

Sarah Jane E. Colago^1*, Romulo P. Paclibar¹

Abstract

This project was being implemented by the Philippine Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), aimed to support sustainable rural development in Mindanao through the improvement of the well-being of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) through increased income, living conditions, and regional peace building contributions. Addressing infrastructure development in Mindanao’s major agricultural regions, the project aimed at local development priorities to increase community productivity. It was piloted in Barangay Baras and Barangay Upper Katungal in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, where its effect was evaluated through a survey of 353 randomly chosen ARBs and community members carried out during the period of calendar year 2024–2025. Data collection employed a flexible, descriptive questionnaire method to capture varied community experiences. The majority of the respondents were from small households, possessed college education, and were at a moderate income level. Evidence indicated that important infrastructure elements—farm-to-market roads, water systems, and post-harvest facilities—were greatly implemented, while social services were given big support. The interventions resulted in very satisfactory improvements in community productivity, with good gains in business partnerships, economic growth, and rural infrastructure. The success of the program was supplemented by best practices embraced by LGU Tacurong such as financial sustainability, efficient use of local resources, integrated delivery of public services, participatory planning, and transparency. Strong positive correlation resulted from the quality of Italian-supported projects and enhanced productivity of communities, highlighting the high effectiveness of support and the promise of increased potential impact.

Keywords:

DAR–Italian, Infrastructure, Community Productivity, Effectiveness, Tacurong City