Two farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects in Ifugao implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), nears completion with more than 95% physical accomplishment in January 2022.
 
The ongoing improvement of Viewpoint-San Fernando FMR in Banaue, which spans 4.6 kilometers and has a project cost of PhP124.8 million, is now 95.26% physically completed.
 
Also nearing completion with 97.6% physical accomplishment, is the improvement of Junction-Alimit-Nattum FMR in Mayoyao which spans 4.96 kilometers and has a project cost of PhP140.53 million.
 
Both FMR subprojects were proposed to support the heirloom rice industry in Ifugao by providing easier market access to farmers residing in the top heirloom-rice producing municipalities of the province.
 
In an earlier interview with Banaue Municipal Engineer and I-BUILD Focal Person Engr. Antonio Gayumma, he said that the improvement of these roads are seen not only to help farmers in bringing their products to the market but also in the revival of abandoned heirloom rice production areas.
 
“Many has abandoned their lands due to the poor condition of roads going to their farms and they will surely come back to till their lands with these road improvements,” said Engr. Gayumma.
 
Meanwhile, a Joint Inspectorate Team composed of representatives from the DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon, Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR), and LGU conducted punch list walkthroughs of the subprojects on January 25-28, 2022, to ensure that contract specifications are accomplished.
 
While they are working on the rectification of punch list, RPCO-CAR Rural Infrastructure Engineer Edwin B. Camhit said that there are still remaining works for the Viewpoint FMR such as the construction of stone masonry, curb and gutter, and the concreting of the remaining 200 meters PCCP. As for the Junction-Alimit-Nattum FMR, remaining works include the construction of line canal, crib wall, and pavement markings.
 
“The subproject contractors went through several setbacks due to COVID-19 restrictions and inclement weather conditions especially in the last quarter of 2021,” stated Engr. Camhit. He added that these challenges has significantly affected the physical progress of the FMR subprojects.
 
The contractors and the implementing LGUs of both subprojects have committed to complete the rectification of the punch lists by the end of February.
 
Once completed, more than 3,600 beneficiaries can look forward to the improvement of their living standards through the use of quality FMRs that will provide easy access and lesser travel time. (Elvy T. Estacio, DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR InfoACE)