TINGLAYAN, Kalinga – The newly completed farm-to-market road (FMR) in this municipality is seen to open opportunities for farmers who are expected to maximize their farms and increase production as they can now easily transport their products to the markets.
Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Executive Director Cameron Odsey turned over to the beneficiaries the completed P37.7 million worth rehabilitated Mallango-Sumadel-Belong-Man-ubal FMR under the DA-Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management Program (DA-INREMP).
Mayor Sacrament Gumilab led municipal and barangay officials and community beneficiaries in accepting the completed project, dubbed as the biggest project implemented under the infrastructure component of the DA-INREMP.
Odsey said the road development is a priority geared towards ending poverty and where the interplay of economic, social, and environmental development will be improved and sustained.
The FMR with a total length of 5.8 kilometers will directly benefit 420 households in the service areas, namely Mallango, Sumadel 1, Sumadel 2, Belong, and Man-ubal, where 95 percent of the population is engaged in farming.
It will also provide easy access and ensure safe and faster travel with less chances of meeting accidents because of slippery and risky road. It will also benefit students going to school.
Odsey encouraged beneficiaries not to be dependent on the government and instead continue the unity and bayanihan values innate among Filipinos to sustain all the projects given to them, especially during this time of pandemic.
Gumilab lauded those who helped in the successful implementation of the subproject.
He said the maintenance of the FMR is not only dependent on the municipal and barangay officials but also the obligation of all Lower Tinglayan populace.
He encouraged them to continue helping each other and not to waste the opportunities given to them. – Peter A. Balocnit
