Beneficiaries from Bauko, Mountain Province can now expect their local coffee industry to see a significant boost, as the Banata-Sumey-ang-Sadsadan Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) subproject is finally complete, and is set for inauguration and turnover on November 16, 2021.

Implemented under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Provincial Local Government of Mountain Province, the PhP71.28 million worth FMR spans a total of 4.577 kilometers is now benefiting more than 13,620 individuals from all barangays of Bauko, including motorists that pass through the road.

LGU Mountain Province Planning Officer Berfre Panyo said the road improvement was proposed in 2014 under the PRDP to support the local arabica coffee industry in the municipality of Bauko.

“There were challenges in the procurement and implementation stage of the FMR subproject, and now after seven years since it was proposed, it is finally completed,” he said.

Panyo added that the FMR subproject also supports the operation of the Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise (MPACE), which is also implemented under the DA-PRDP.

The MPACE was conceptualized to have a unified consolidation and trading of Arabica coffee in Mountain Province and the Proponent Groups (PGs) of this enterprise are based in the different municipalities of the province including Bauko. As part of the enterprise, a Coffee Satellite Buying Station was also established in Bauko.

The completed FMR will facilitate the delivery of coffee among other farm produce and provide better access to farmers and residents.

Likewise, the FMR will also help in promoting local tourism, and will serve as an alternate route for motorists, when the road along the Mount Data cliff is closed.

Elvy T. Estacio (RPCO-CAR InfoACE Unit)