DA approves P2.06B worth of rural road projects

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday that it approved the construction of P2.06 billion worth of farm-to-market roads and bridges.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said  the projects involve 66 kilometers of farm-to-market roads and 310 linear meters of bridges in Zambales, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Bukidnon, and North Cotabato. Also included in the approvals were irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities.

These projects were largely funded by the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) Scale-Up infrastructure package, backed by the World Bank.

Mr. Laurel said the roads and bridges to be built will help farming communities connect with markets.

He added that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has directed agencies to accelerate implementation due to the urgent need for road connectivity by rural communities.

“I’m sure these projects will improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolk, lower their expenses, and give them better access to markets,” Mr. Laurel said in a statement issued by the DA.

Mr. Laurel also urged local government units to continue preparing projects that meet the standards of the World Bank to speed up future approvals. He noted that the bank expressed interest in expanding its support to the PRDP after it returned positive results.

The DA is set to award all other remaining agricultural infrastructure projects under the PRDP by the end of the year. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza