New road of hope for the Manobo farmers in Tago, Surigao Sur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TAGO, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — For
years, farmers in the far-flung barangays of Tago, Surigao del Sur,
particularly members of the Manobo indigenous peoples’ (IP) community,
struggled with poor road access that limited their ability to bring products to
market and access basic services.
The long-standing challenge is gradually being
addressed through the Kinabigtasan–Lindoy farm-to-market road (FMR), a one-unit
concrete bridge, a flagship infrastructure project under the Philippine Rural
Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The project supports the priority agenda of
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen food security, rural
connectivity, and inclusive economic growth, particularly in geographically
isolated and disadvantaged communities.
A road of hope for the Manobo
community
For the Manobo farmers living in upland
communities, the road represents more than improved infrastructure; it
symbolizes renewed hope and opportunity.
Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR),
Datu Jenebert Gaco, shared that the completion of the Kinabigtasan–Lindoy FMR
will significantly improve their livelihoods, especially for families engaged
in abaca production, one of the community’s primary sources of income.
“Dako kaayo ang among paglaum sa paghuman sa dalan,
ilabi na sa pagpalambo sa among panginabuhian. Mas mapadali na ang pagdala sa
among abaca ngadto sa merkado, nga maghatag og mas dako nga kita ug mas lig-on
nga kaugmaon sa among komunidad,” Gaco said.
(We have great hope for the completion of the road,
especially in improving our livelihood. It will make it easier to transport our
abaca to the market, which will provide higher income and a more stable future
for our community.)
With improved access, farmers will be able to
transport their harvest faster and at lower cost, helping increase their income
and reduce post-harvest losses.
Strengthening connectivity under
PBBM’s food security and infrastructure agenda
The Kinabigtasan–Lindoy FMR is a priority I-BUILD
subproject under PRDP Scale-Up, a program aligned with the administration’s push
to modernize agriculture and improve rural infrastructure.
According to DA Caraga Regional Director Rebecca
Atega, the project is funded through a collaborative effort, namely, 80 percent
funding from the World Bank, 10 percent from the Philippine government, and 10
percent from the local government of Tago.
Spanning 10 kilometers and including a one-unit
concrete bridge, the project is expected to directly benefit farming
communities by reducing travel time, lowering transportation costs, and
improving access to markets and essential services such as schools and health
facilities.
Currently, the project has achieved more than 20%
completion, with weather conditions, particularly prolonged rainfall in
previous months, affecting construction progress. The project is scheduled to
be completed within 280 calendar days.
World Bank visit highlights
transparency and community participation
The project site was recently visited by
stakeholders as part of the 5th World Bank Implementation Support Mission
(WB-ISM) in Mindanao on April 17, to monitor progress and ensure effective
implementation.
During the visit, representatives from the World
Bank, PRDP National and Regional Offices, DA Caraga, and local government units
conducted site inspections and consulted with beneficiaries at the Kinabigtasan
Barangay Hall.
World Bank Co-Task Team Leader Maria Theresa
Quiñones encouraged residents to monitor the project’s implementation.
“We encourage the beneficiary communities to serve
as ‘CCTV of the PRDP,’ ensuring quality, transparency, and accountability
throughout the project implementation,” Quiñones emphasized.
Community members also shared their experiences and
provided recommendations to improve project delivery, highlighting the
importance of stakeholder engagement in achieving sustainable outcomes.
A dream realized for farmers and
communities
For Tago Mayor Jelio Val C. Laurente, the project
fulfills a long-held aspiration of farmers and residents who have endured years
of limited connectivity.
“For many years, our constituents have hoped for
the realization of this project. To our farmers and families, this is not just
about cement and steel. It is a symbol of hope that their struggles are being
seen and addressed,” Mayor Laurente said.
The improved road is expected to expand economic
opportunities in barangays along its route, enhancing agricultural productivity
and enabling better access to markets.
Integrated development for
sustainable livelihoods
PRDP Project Director Macario D. Gonzaga emphasized
that the project is part of a broader development strategy that integrates
infrastructure with agricultural production and enterprise support.
“Under PRDP, infrastructure is never implemented in
isolation. Every road we build is linked to production areas and market access,
ensuring that investments are strategic and responsive to actual value chain
needs,” Gonzaga explained.
This integrated approach aligns with national
efforts to enhance agricultural competitiveness and empower rural communities,
key priorities under the Bagong Pilipinas development agenda.
Inclusive growth through strong
partnerships
The Municipality of Tago expressed gratitude to
partner institutions, including the World Bank, Department of Agriculture, and
other implementing agencies, for their continued support in delivering the
project.
More than a physical structure, the
Kinabigtasan–Lindoy FMR stands as a testament to inclusive development,
ensuring that even remote communities benefit from government programs designed
to uplift rural livelihoods.
Bringing development closer to
communities
As the Kinabigtasan–Lindoy Farm-to-Market Road
continues to take shape, its impact is already being felt by farmers,
Indigenous Peoples, and families who depend on agriculture for survival.
By improving connectivity, strengthening market
access, and supporting agricultural productivity, the project reflects the
government’s commitment under President Marcos Jr.’s agenda to enhance food
security, empower rural communities, and deliver equitable development to every
corner of the country.
For the Manobo farmers of Tago, the road ahead is
no longer just a path through rugged terrain. It is a pathway toward better
income, improved access to services, and a more secure future. (NGPB, PIA
Surigao del Sur)
