A FARM-TO-MARKET (FMR) road rehabilitation project worth P256 million in Kalinga will facilitate the movement of farm produce, allowing farmers in the province to earn more.
The ongoing FMR rehabilitation project is under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-UP in Pinukpuk town. It will directly connect the barangay of Pinukpuk Junction, Pakawit and Bayaw to the national road leading to the market center in Pinukpuk and Tabuk.
Photo shows a portion of the 12.5-kilometer Pinukpuk Junction-Pakawit-Binansagan farm-to-market road in Kalinga that will undergo improvements. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PHOTO
Elvy Estacio of the DA-PRDP Cordillera office said the 12.50-kilometer improvement of Pinukpuk Junction-Pakawit-Binansagan FMR is expected to benefit 498 households or 2,164 individuals.
“[This FMR] will boost the efficiency of local agricultural trade and support the community’s economic development,” he said.
Estacio said the improvement of the Pinukpuk Junction-Pakawit-Binansagan FMR is the sixth infrastructure subproject in Kalinga approved under the DA-PRDP, with an expected completion date of September 2026.
Earlier this month, the groundbreaking ceremony of the project was led by Kalinga Gov. James Edduba along with Pinukpuk Mayor Irving Dasayon, DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Technical Director for Research and Regulations Arlene Sagayo, and representatives from contractor Upland Construction and Engineering Services.
Edduba said it was a collaborative effort that brought the subproject to fruition with support from the provincial legislative body for approving the counterpart funding. Also supporting the project are the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit headed by Provincial Agriculturist engineer Domingo Bakilan and the rest of the DA-PRDP team.
Eddubba also said that a pledge of commitment to the development of coffee farms in Pinukpuk was also signed by the local governments of Kalinga and Pinukpuk.
Urging barangay officials and beneficiaries to monitor the project, Dasayon said “we will see a permanent road, but nothing is permanent without our vigilance and protection.”
Sagayo expressed her enthusiasm for the FMR subproject, noting that “poor road conditions have long hindered farmers.”
“This FMR subproject will help expedite the transport of agricultural produce of both women and men farmers and get more income,” she added.
Sagayo also said that Kalinga has implemented P1.40 billion in infrastructure subprojects and P21.30 million worth of enterprise subprojects since the PRDP began.
“These projects are in support of coffee, banana, and heirloom rice among other commodities,” she added.
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