TALAYAN, Maguindanao del Sur – Farmers and residents from four barangays in this town and neighboring areas are expected to enjoy improved access from their farms to the town center after the recent turnover of a PHP199.2-million farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Barangay Lanting here.
The 9.46-kilometer FMR project, which includes two bridges connecting Barangays Tamar, Marader, Lanting, and Fukol, was built through funding from the World Bank.
In an interview on Tuesday, Haron Kadatuan, chairperson of Barangay Lanting, cited the project’s transformative impact.
“Before, when the water was high, crossing the road to the market would take 24 hours. But now, with this road and bridges, we can easily transport our goods without incurring huge expenses,” he said.
Kadatuan said the productivity and income of farmers in four adjoining villages and nearby communities are expected to double.
The BARMM turned over the project to town officials on Aug. 19.
In a separate interview on Tuesday, Minister Mohammad Yacob of the BARMM’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) said the FMR is vital in agricultural development across the region.
“FMR is the key to agricultural development. It enhances the productivity and movement of products by farmers, coupled with the provision of inputs, machinery, and other support to motivate farming activities,” Yacob, the concurrent Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Director of Regional Project Coordination Office-BARMM, said.
Yacob said the community is responsible for maintaining the new road. (PNA)
