DA, DPWH seal 170-M FMR projects deal for Surigao Norte
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Agricultural connectivity in the 1st District of Surigao del Norte is set for a major upgrade following the formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Works and Highways, launching eight farm-to-market road (FMR) projects worth ₱170 million under the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) 2026.
The infrastructure projects will be constructed across six key agricultural municipalities in Siargao Island, namely Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, Pilar, San Isidro, and Socorro. The FMR projects are designed to directly link rural production centers to local trade hubs; these roads aim to significantly reduce transport costs, minimize post-harvest losses, and ensure faster delivery of fresh produce to commercial markets.
Held on October 2, the agreement was signed by DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. and DPWH Surigao del Norte 1st District Engineer Maria Teresa R. Lucaberte, with 1st District Representative Francisco Matugas as official witness. The signed agreement outlines the joint operational framework between both agencies.
Under the terms of the MOA, the DPWH 1st District Engineering Office of Surigao del Norte will oversee project bidding, procurement, site supervision, and rigorous quality control during construction, while DA Caraga will handle program oversight, evaluating detailed engineering plans, tracking fund disbursements, and conducting regular field evaluations to ensure construction aligns with national agricultural road specifications.
In his message, RED Oñate emphasized that the agency will implement strict governance protocols throughout the construction lifecycle.
“We will make sure that every project is implemented properly and that funds are used correctly, so that the primary beneficiaries are truly our farmers, communities, and people,” he said.
He noted that mandatory measures, including joint physical validation, routine geotagging, and open-data reporting, will be enforced to guarantee full accountability.
Meanwhile, local chief executives from the beneficiary municipalities were present to express their strong support for the initiative, highlighting the transformative impact these roads will bring to their respective agrarian communities.
They said in their joint statement of support, “For years, our local farmers in Siargao have struggled with difficult terrain just to get their harvests to the central market. This ₱170-million investment is a game-changer. Better roads mean lower transport expenses for our agricultural workers and more affordable food prices for our residents.”
“We welcome this partnership between DA and DPWH as accessible roads empower our farming families to scale up their production and improve their livelihoods. With procurement and pre-construction activities underway, the FMR projects are projected to strengthen inter-island economic mobility, elevate rural household incomes, and fortify the overall food security landscape of Siargao Island and Surigao del Norte,” the local chief executives added. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DA Caraga)