Amulung, Cagayan- The ground-breaking ceremony held on March 20, 2017 at Barangay Annafatan, Amulung, Cagayan marked the commencement of construction activities on the 20.25- kilometers Iraga, Solana to Bayabat, Amulung Farm to Market Road (FMR) with Bridges.

“The road is yours so you have the right to tell us if there are problems in its construction in the next few days. Hopefully, we will finish the project within a year and four months as planned. Let’s work together to speed up its construction,” remarked DA Regional Executive Director and RPCO Project Director, Lucrecio R. Alviar Jr. in his message.

Director Alviar was directing this statement to the residents of the different barangays within the Road Influence Area of the FMR. “We are leaving behind a legacy, that our next generation will remember when we are no longer here,” the Regional Executive Director said. He recalled how, as a DA Technician, he travelled this difficult route in the course of his work.

He also clarified that the project was initiated during the term of ex Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio but it is during this term of Governor Manuel Mamba that the project was realized through the partnership of DA-PRDP and the Province of Cagayan.

The PRDP-RPCO 2 contingent was led by RED Alviar, PRDP RPCO2 Project Director; together with Dr. Freddie B. Corsino, Component and Unit Heads with their Staff.

Joining Governor Mannuel N. Mamba and RED Jun Alviar were the municipal mayors of the two adjoining municipalities: Solana Mayor Jennelyn P. Carag and Amulung Mayor Nicanor de Leon together with their concerned Barangay Captains from the covered barangays.

Solana Mayor Jennelyn Carag said, that the residents of Iraga welcome the FMR subproject and were extending their sincerest thanks to the DA PRDP and to Governor Manuel Mamba for this subproject.

Mayor Nicanor de Leon of Amulung thanked the Department of Agriculture for this subproject and recalled that during their rounds with Governor Mamba, they envisioned that if the Iraga-Bayabat road section will be concreted, majority of the barangays in Western Amulung will be benefited.

“Napalaus iti panagyamanmi, Apo, ta masemento met laengen daytoy kalsada a tapok tapok a pagpagnaak idi ubingak pay. Nagasat kayo nga agindeg ditoy ta nalakanton nga ibiaheyo dagiti apityo,” he said in Ilokano.

Governor Manuel Mamba in his message recognized and acknowledged the DA Officials present and profusely thanked the Department of Agriculture for the assistance that will help the municipalities of Solana and Amulung realize their dream of having the vital road link concreted.

“I agree with Director Alviar that this subproject is our legacy. Since it is a legacy, we must join efforts for its smooth execution and completion. Adda kadakayo ti cell phone number ko, kakabsat. I text yo laeng kaniak no adda parikut ti pannakaibanag toy proyekto,” the Governor emphasized.

The contractor of the FMR was likewise given a chance to express his commitment. Mr. Ricardo D. Interior, owner of RD Interior Junior Construction in his message assured the public that he has the necessary manpower and equipment to undertake the subproject. He also said that his construction company is ISO certified.

The subproject involves the concrete paving of the road or technically described as Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP), and includes construction of line drainage and installation of the Reinforced Concrete Pipe Culvert (RCPC). It also includes retrofitting of the existing bridges which are Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder (RCDG). The rehabilitation and upgrading of existing Farm to Market Road will greatly make market centers and trading points more accessible to farmer-residents, dairy producers and other crop growers within the road influence area (RIA).

The 10 barangays along the FMR are: Iraga in Solana; on the Amulung side: Nangalasauan, Cordoba, Casingsingan Sur, Casingsingan Norte, Balauini, Annafatan, Palayag, Pacac Pequeño, Masical, and Bayatbat. (Dr. Ferdinand N. Cortez, DA-PRDP RPCO2 InfoACE Unit)