PRDP roads unlock farm opportunities in AgSur
AGUSAN DEL SUR -- Farmers and consumers can now meet halfway to sell and
buy fresh produce after the turn-over of the 13.3 km Concrete
Bucac-Marcelina-Mahapag-San Vicente Farm-to-Market Road held on August 5, 2021.
The P210 Million project funded by the Department of
Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) targets to support
the rubber industry and farm products in Bayugan City and its neighboring
municipalities. The FMR reduces the travel time of transporting cup lumps to
the Crumb Rubber Processing Facility from 20 to 10 minutes. It also lessens
post-harvest losses and transportation costs, thereby increasing farmers’
income.
Considered as the 2nd longest FMR funded by PRDP with a 10% counterpart
from the Provincial Government, this Package 2 project covers barangays
Marcelina and Katipunan in Bayugan City; and Mahapag and Anislagan in San Luis,
Agusan del Sur.
A farmer and Barangay Kagawad of Katipunan, Bayugan City, Rogelio O.
Estodillo Jr. expressed his joy with the turn-over of the FMR.
“I am greatly thankful now that buyers can come directly to our barangay
since our road is already passable. Unlike before, our crops are now guaranteed
fresh,” said Estodillo.
Aside from transporting goods, access to services and facilities is just
one ride away from the residents in the recipient barangays. Going to the
hospitals and acquiring essential needs became convenient.
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo led the
turnover of the project to the Province as received by Governor Santiago B.
Cane, Jr.
Director
Monteagudo also reminded the farmers that government interventions are always
present. Officials just have to work together and give their counterparts to
make dreams happen.
Likewise, Governor Cane lauded the DA for the outpouring of support and
interventions that are given to their farmers and the community.
The turn-over was attended by the barangay, municipal, and provincial
officials of Bayugan City and Agusan del Sur. (Zenny G. Awing /
DA-PRPD13/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
