Another multi-million I-BUILD subproject funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) which is concreting a 17.4 kilometer countryside road in Barangays Namabbalan Norte, Tuguegarao City- Baliuag- Bical- Cabbo, Peñablanca, Cagayan had undergone formal groundbreaking ceremonies on May 29, 2017.

The farm-to-market road (FMR) worth Php 200.613 million is expected to benefit thousands of farmers and residents alike, and underscores the importance of concreting and rehabilitating road areas to improve accessibility and farmers’ linkage to the production and marketing zones of dairy and other commodities such as rice and corn.

Despite difficulties experienced by the RPCO and PPMIUs in fulfilling the stringent requirements set by the Word Bank, the subproject is the second among three FMRs in the province to hold a ground breaking ceremony.

In 2015, the road project was halted due to failure in bidding. During the on-site validation last February 26, 2015, the proposal for a road project was enhanced to include 57 linear meters of three (3) Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder (RCDG) bridges as per recommendations by then DPD Arnel V. De Mesa and affirmed by  technical experts from the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO). Consequently, the total subproject cost increased to Php 206.613 million which was duly re-endorsed for approval.

Regional Project Director Lucrecio R. Alviar, Jr. in his speech, said that the province of Cagayan is among the few provinces in the entire country that have the biggest bulk of funding under PRDP worth more than half a billion pesos, excluding subprojects under the enterprise development component.

“This ceremony is part of the national government’s effort to provide tangible assistance to the rural communities in line with the food sufficiency commitment and to strengthen regional operations to uplift the lives of our farmers,” he said.

Director Alviar emphasized the need for support to the provincial government of Cagayan in the implementation of subprojects adding that “this is a milestone for all of us.”

Mayor Washington Taguinod of Peñablanca related that it has been a dream for the residents and farmers to have a more accessible road and shorter travel time.

The poor condition of the road network causes high maintenance to vehicles plying the route which subsequently leads to high cost of agricultural inputs and high hauling cost of farm produce.

With the improvement of the road network, transportation cost for farm inputs and outputs will be decreased, thereby increasing farmers’ productivity and income.

Governor Mamba urged beneficiaries to take care of the road subproject since it is a big help to the residents and famers. “All of us have the role to guard and sustain it.”

The Governor hopes that beneficiaries along the road network shall be the vanguards of subproject monitoring especially during construction activities. He emphasized the role of the community as contributory to the success of any intervention especially in the attainment of good governance.

“I am optimistic that the participation of the members of the community is highly significant to ensure quality and timely construction of the subproject,” he added.

Director Alviar committed the assistance of DA to the province of Cagayan to help sustain its production and improve the lives of our farmers and fisher folks.

“With this subproject, we remain confident about the province’s contribution to the national food sufficiency goals. I am optimistic that this road concreting will be completed on time so that the farmers will soon enjoy the benefits of the subproject.”

The momentous groundbreaking ceremony was attended by the Honorable Governor Manuel Mamba, Mayor Bienvenido de Guzman of Tuguegarao City, Mayor Washington Taguinod of Peñablanca, Vice mayor Marilyn Taguinod of Peñablanca, other key local officials, Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar Jr. and staff of the Department of Agriculture, department heads of PLGU Cagayan, and residents of the barangays traversed by the subproject. (Jaycee M. Capalungan, RPCO2 InfoACE Unit)

RPCO2 Project Director Lucrecio R. Alviar Jr. delivers his message during the Ground Breaking Ceremony of Namabbalan Norte-Baliuag-Bical-Cabbo FMR

Cagayan Governor Hon. Manuel N. Mamba expresses his gratitude during the Ground Breaking Ceremony of Namabbalan Norte-Baliuag-Bical-Cabbo FMR