New P15-M Farm-to-Market Road in Davao del Sur Boosts Farmers’ Market Access
DAVAO CITY – Farmers in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur are set to benefit from improved access to markets following the completion of a new farm-to-market road (FMR), the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) reported on Friday.
The 1-kilometer road, located in Barangay Balasiao, was completed at a cost of PHP14.96 million and officially turned over on March 26.
This infrastructure is expected to make the transport of agricultural goods quicker, safer, and more cost-efficient for local farmers.
Barangay Balasiao chairperson Jessi Pandian, in an interview with DA-11, expressed appreciation for the government’s support, noting the project’s significance for residents, particularly those in Purok 1.
He also assured that the community would take responsibility for maintaining the road to ensure its long-term use.
With the new FMR in place, Pandian said the barangay is moving toward a more productive and efficient agricultural system.
DA-11 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga shared that the project was funded under the agency’s FMR Development Program, which aims to improve the transportation of key crops such as sugarcane, bananas, coconuts, corn, and rice.
The road is expected to benefit a growing agricultural community that includes 85 farmers and fisherfolk, 150 households, 12 agrarian reform beneficiaries, and 18 indigenous residents.
Gonzaga explained that the improved road network will help farmers increase their earnings while ensuring a stable supply of food to nearby areas.
In addition, the project is seen to support daily economic activities, strengthen community ties, and address the needs of residents.
He added that the road is part of a larger effort to improve rural infrastructure in the province. More FMR projects worth PHP195 million are scheduled this year in the towns of Hagonoy, Sulop, Malalag, and Matanao, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
These initiatives aim to lower transportation and production costs while reinforcing the region’s agricultural sector.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
