Completion of the first infrastructure subproject in Esperanza, Masbate, funded under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP)  has introduced a series of improvements through the rehabilitated Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) after three (3) years.

According to Municipal Project Management and Implementation Unit (MPMIU) and concurrent I-BUILD Component Head Engineer Cernac Conag, the Concreting of (Segment A) Domorog-Tawad and (Segment B) San Roque-Baras FMR has significantly changed the situation of farmers and motorists in the community. 

“Galing Brgy. Tawad papuntang Brgy. Domorog, nung wala pa itong kalsada na ito, usually ang means of transportation, ‘yung balsa halo kalabaw. Umaabot ‘yan galing Tawad, for just five kilometers or more, umaabot ‘yan ng mahigit dalawang oras lalo na pag tag-ulan. Pag tag-ulan, kung may habal-habal man, umiikot ‘yan kung saan saan dahil itong area na ito is maputik,” Conag said. 

Personally witnessing the struggles of farmers in terms of transportation, Conag mentioned that with the completion of the 10.39-kilometer I-BUILD subproject, it is now easier for farmers to transport agricultural products from the farm to the market. 

Several local officials have expressed their appreciation of the FMR, adding that travel time and transportation costs have been significantly reduced, thus resulting in a comfortable experience in the transport of agricultural products to the auction market.

Strengthening operations and maintenance efforts

During the Operations and Maintenance Audit System (OMAS) conducted by the Regional Operations and Maintenance Audit Team (ROMAT) to the I-BUILD subproject on April 20, 2022, the said FMR received a Good Rating in terms of level of functionality, physical status, and social and institutional status. Together with the emerging benefits, communities within the Road Influence Area (RIA) are now motivated to further enhance their initiatives.

Additionally, immediately after the OMAS field visit, Conag met with the barangay officials to inform them about the ROMAT’s findings and encourage their continuous support to the Local Government Units (LGUs) O&M initiatives for the subproject. He mentioned that he will request for an O&M budget worth PhP2 million for the rectification of damaged FMR portions. Currently, the LGU has an approved O&M budget amounting to PhP500,000. 

“Sa pamamagitan ng ating O&M plan, gagawan kaagad namin ng Program of Works mai-submit namin para ma-repair at saka ma-procure namin,” Conag said.

The PhP104.37 million-worth Concreting of (Segment A) Domorog- Tawad & (Segment B) San Roque – Baras FMR Project is an I-BUILD subproject designed to benefit a total of 2,090 farmers and fisherfolk households. Majority of Esperanza’s population are engaged in coconut, corn, upland rice, banana, sweet potato, cassava, and yam production.  (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V/PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

Engr. Conag and DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol M&E Officer Rhodelia Remot relay the ROMAT’s findings and recommendations to Barangay Domorog Barangay Captain Pedro Adigue during the OMAS held on April 20, 2022.

MPMIU-Esperanza I-BUILD Head Engr. Conag and DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer Rhodelia Remot relay the ROMAT’s findings and recommendations to Barangay Guadalupe Barangay Captain Nordie Duran, during the OMAS held on April 20, 2022.