THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) XI has turned over a P110.9 million worth of farm-to-market road (FMR) to the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur.
The FMR will aid farmers with better market access, reducing the transportation cost of their future produce.
During the ceremony on June 19 in Malalag, Macario Gonzaga, DA XI executive director, in a speech said this will also allow farmers to reach a wider customer base for their agricultural products, and increase income and trading activity.
“It will reduce their travel time from 26 minutes to 16 minutes per trip. We are also expecting an increased income among farmers as it will reduce the hauling cost of commodities and inputs from P40 to P30 per sack, and transport losses from an average of four percent to one percent,” Gonzaga said.
He added that this subproject will also improve access to social services as it will be easier for people in rural communities to access essential services like education, healthcare, and government assistance.
The 5.99-kilometer rehabilitated road under the PRDP I-BUILD Subproject traverses the Mango production areas, Coconut, Banana Cardava, Lakatan, Cavendish, Corn, and Cacao production areas in the four barangays of the Municipality of Malalag namely: Ibo, Bulacan, Pitu, and Bolton.
Marc Douglas IV Cagas, Davao del Sur provincial governor’s representative, stressed that “the subproject will entirely help the 11,040 beneficiaries’ income and quality of living.”
Meanwhile, Marc Adrian Baddongon, DA Regional Project Coordination Office XI I-BUILD Component head explained that the rehabilitation of Ibo-Pitu, Malalag FMR, is funded under the World Bank’s Second Additional Financing and European Union Co-Financing grant with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao del Sur, and the Municipal LGU of Malalag.
He said the success of the project is a result of the collective effort and active collaboration for Davao del Sur.
Also present during the event are Malalag Municipal Mayor Peter Paul Valentin, Provincial Project Engineer Gina Chua, Pitu Brgy. Captain Yolando Amboc, and Kudos Peers Construction Corporation President Josue Bacolod.
