Ma. Aurora, Aurora – Rural farmers clamouring for better access to the markets will soon be traversing a world-class farm-to-market road, funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

With coconut being one of the country’s major agricultural products, the province of Aurora plays a large role in its production accounting to 92% of Central Luzon’s land dedicated to coco farming. Meanwhile C. Luzon covers almost half of North Luzon’s production.

Despite the massive production of coconut in the province, farmers and residents in barangays San Joaquin and Cadayakan have continued to helplessly use the existing rugged road to transport their products to the production areas and markets.

With the active involvement of the local government unit, a 2.30 kilometer farm-to-market road amounting to P26.3 million will now provide connectivity to the farms and production areas. About 3,186 residents and 719 households will benefit from this DA intervention.

Fruits of labor

“We have heard countless hurtful words, hindrances and challenges while working on this project proposal,” a tearful Estrella C. Tilo recalled as she described the process of submitting the FMR to PRDP. Tilo is a Kagawad of Barangay Cadayakan, and is actively involved in the implementation of the project.

“We are extending our deepest gratitude to the management of this Project. Finally, it is coming to reality,” said Tilo.

She also shared the difficulty of transportation for pregnant mothers who need to be rushed to the hospital.

“There were times when they are left with no choice but to give birth inside vehicles that struggle to reach the hospital on time, due to the rugged road,” Tilo added. “Now, a great improvement has finally come.”

The road project will result to at least 50% shortened travel time, providing the residents more time for their work.

Aside from coconut, Maria Aurora farmers also plant rice, ube and saba. With tricycles as main vehicles for transporting, products get susceptible to getting damaged due to the roughness of the paths and long travel hours.

Nemecio S. Bayeng, chairman of a farmers’ association in Cadayakan shared that at least two hours is being consumed in carrying their products to and from the production areas. He also said that the road to be constructed will serve as protection for locals in Sitio Ango against flood.

“Instead of taking us two hours in travelling and transporting our products, we expect that it will now take us only 30 minutes,” said Bayeng. He added that with their daily trips, tricycles tend to easily break down. “The tires get busted, and it consumes a lot of gasoline.”

The said access road to be improved in Barangays San Joaquin and Cadayakan is projected to bring economic benefits through cost savings in vehicle operation, input and output hauling, travel time, cultivation of agricultural land and labor employment, among others. (Kayla Arceo, DA-PRDP PSO InfoACE Unit)