The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) has approved four more major infrastructure projects to further boost rural productivity in the towns of Region 13 (Caraga).
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and DA Caraga Regional Director Edna M. Mabeza awarded the No Objection Letter (NOL) to road and irrigation projects in Nasipit town in Agusan del Norte province, and Malimono, Kitcharao and Sison towns in Surigao del Norte province, with a total cost of P109 million.
Alcala said these projects are proof that the government remains true to its commitment in delivering goods and services for agricultural development.
“We want all the projects intended for our dear farmers are delivered efficiently and on time, for we understand that these things will translate to better production and increase in income,” Alcala said at a farmers’ forum in Butuan City.
With the issuance of the first NOL, Nasipit will now start the procurement process of the P34-million Culit Communal Irrigation System, which will serve at least 100 hectares of rice area that would benefit 120 farming households.
In another development, the construction of 3.32-kilometer, P40-million Jubgan–Binocaran farm-to-market road (FMR) in Malimono was also given the go-signal. The project is expected to serve 348 hectares of rice, banana, cassava, vegetables and fruit trees, benefitting 875 farming households.
As for the construction of the 1.56-km, P15-million Sangay–Mahayahay FMR in Kitcharao, it can now be granted to the winning contractor after the project was issued the second NOL.
This project would benefit 1,260 farming households and serve 492 hectares devoted to rice, banana, abaca and coconut production.
“Not far from now, our farmers will be more inspired toiling on the ground seeing a concrete road where they can easily transport their produce,” said Kitcharao Mayor Aristotle Montante.
Sison also received a NOL 2 for the construction of 1.82-km Gacepan–Mayag FMR, worth P20 million. This will serve 400 hectares planted with rice, banana, root crops, and coconut, and would benefit 274 farming households.
PRDP’s Intensified Build Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-Build) component aims to put in place climate-resilient FMRs, bridges, communal irrigation, and potable water systems.
All these subprojects aim to improve the links between production areas and markets to enhance the efficiency of transporting agricultural products.
“We hope that, through these interventions, we can achieve higher productivity,” Alcala said.