The government has approved a two-year extension of the second phase of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) poverty alleviation program for Mindanao.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the National Economic Development Authority board approved the extension of the Mindanao Rural Development Program Phase-2 (MRDP2).

The extension approval is among the approved P113.92-billion worth of investments for nine new transportation and infrastructure projects all over the country.

The MRDP2 extension amounts to P7.39 billion worth of investments that will cover agri-fishery infrastructures, livelihood programs and environmental conservation activities.

Launched in 2007, the program will end by December 2012. But with the approval of the proposed two-year extension, the DA expects to complete more agricultural projects until 2014.

Alcala said that the approval of the MRDP2 extension project, which is jointly funded by World Bank and the national and local government units, will help push the administration’s inclusive growth in Mindanao.

“This will provide a boost to the Aquino administration’s goal of promoting inclusive economic growth since MRDP2 projects are focused on improving incomes of poor communities in the region,” Alcala said.

Despite the limited extension period, MRDP director Lealyn Ramos said that they hope to complete putting up all the livelihood projects, particularly by mid of 2013.

“The remaining time will be spent for installing sustainability mechanisms so that the investments will not be wasted.”

Ramos also noted that the approval was granted by President Benigno Aquino 3rd, with the understanding that the Agriculture department will complete all physical activities on or before June of 2014 and all the fiscal-related activities on December of the same year.

“The Rural Infrastructure component is expected to deliver a total of P4.87 billion worth of investments covering farm-to-market roads, irrigation, bridges and post harvest facilities which now has about 50 percent physical accomplishments,” she said.

The rest of the extension funds were devoted to the Community Fund for Agricultural Development and Natural Resources Management components.