The Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) recently approved the first farm-to-market road (FMR) subproject in Occidental Mindoro. The 4.68-kilometer Concreting/Upgrading of Brgy. Poblacion FMR will stretch from Sitio Olima to Sitio Genaro in the municipality of Magsaysay.

The 9-inch thickt concrete road will be beneficial to the booming rice industry in the province as it will accommodate more load capacity making it passable to delivery trucks of rice that access the area.

“Ang probinsya ay prodyuser ng bigas and for the National Food Authority procurement.We are one of the top producers sa Pilipinas. Maraming truck ang dumadaan dito para sa mga bigas kaya nagpapasalamat ako na na-aprubahan ang request ko na makapalan ang kalsada kasi kung hindi ay kawawa kami kasi masisira lang iyan (Our province produce rice and we are one of the top producers for the National Food Authority procurement in the Philippines. Many trucks pass through here for rice delivery that is why I’m thankful that my request to increase the thickness of the FMR has been approved. If not, the road will just be destroyed),” Governor Mario Gene Mendiola said.

This subproject is also expected to improve the quality of life of salt producers and onion farmers around the road influence area by reducing their transportation cost and increasing their production income. Likewise, it is also projected to reduce the travel time by 50% going to and from the market or commercial centers.

The RPAB meeting in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro was attended by representatives from Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. ### (Bernadeth Respicio, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Occidental Mindoro’s I-PLAN staff Elmer Velacruz presents the highlights and feasibility study of the Concreting/Upgrading of Brgy. Poblacion FMR to the RPAB members.(Photo by Bernadeth Respicio, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

The RPAB members headed by Dir. Antonio G. Gerundio (third from right) poses for a photo opportunity with Occidental Mindoro Gov. Mario Gene J. Mediola (third from left) and other provincial staff. (Photo by Bernadeth Respicio, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)