DAVAO CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) — The Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has approved a total of PHP432.8 million in farm-to-market road (FMR) projects for Region 11.
The four approved FMR projects were:
1. Rehab of 10.23 km Sonlon-Camansa FMR in Asuncion, Davao del Norte amounting to PHP143.5 million;
2. Concreting of 11.47 km Barayong-Mabini-Bala FMR in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur (PHP136.75 million);
3. Rehab of 11.47 km Poblacion-Naboc FMR in Monkayo, Compostela Valley (PHP117.05 million); and;
4. Rehab and construction of 3.2 km FMR Purok 4-6 and 8 in Brgy. Subasta, Calinan, Davao City (PHP35.5 million).
The RPAB evaluates and approves project proposals for PRDP funding in the region and it is chaired by the Department of Agriculture regional director with members from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Trade and Industry.
PRDP is a special project of the DA which aims to promote an inclusive, value-chain oriented agriculture and fisheries development.
Davao del Norte planning chief Josie Jean Rabanos said the proposed Sonlon-Camansa FMR will reduce half of the travel time for transport of high-value crops such as cacao and cardaba banana.
“It will also reduce transport and hauling cost from PHP300 to PHP200-250. We are also expecting expansion of farm production areas from 1,634 to 2,947 hectares as road access encourages farmers to produce more crops,” she said.
Meanwhile, Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin said the concreting of the Barayong-Mabini-Bala FMR in his town would facilitate development of commodity value chain from input provision, farming, processing and marketing of products such as cacao, rubber, mango, coconut, and banana.
“The FMR project in Barangay Subasta on the other hand will further boost the cacao production in the area and will link beneficiaries of DA-funded drying facility and cacao center to the buying centers in Calinan proper,” DA regional director Remelyn Recoter said.
Recoter, who also chairs the RPAB, said that the approved subprojects will be endorsed to the Mindanao and national project offices for review and issuance of No Objection Letter. (PNA)