Department of Agriculture-6 Acting-Regional Executive Director Engr. Roy M. Abaya (center) emphasizes the significance of concreting and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads to enhance economic activity, rural development and increase income of every farmer beneficiary during the Regional Project Advisory Board meeting for the endorsement of seven farm-to-market road subprojects. Also in photo are RAFC Chairman Ricardo P. Provido, Jr (left) and Engr. Manuel Ticao, Jr. of the Department of Public Works and Highways. (RSSoqueño II/InfoACE-RPCO6) More than P700 M worth of infra projects approved for funding in WV
ILOILO City – One of the important factors affecting supply, quality and timeliness of agricultural products in the markets is the condition of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in our region. After assessing the situation, a total of seven (7) FMRs worth P731,318,029.49 under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) – I-BUILD component here in Western Visayas managed to received a No Objection Letter (NOL) 1 in the third quarter of this year.
Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, Deputy Director for RPCO 6, said the issuance of NOL 1 signals for the procurement activities to proceed following the usual accounting and auditing rules set by the program.
“The seven FMRs include the: Concreting and improvement of 18.117 km Hipona-Canapian-Quinabonglan FMR with bridge in Capiz worth P196,997,504.93; rehabilitation/improvement of 12.74 km Banga-Libacao FMR in Aklan -P149,965,000.00; 3.26 km Pontevedra, Gomez-Zamora FMR in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental-P45,110,000.00; rehabilitation of 10.108 km Hinicayan-Violeta FMR with Bridge in Silay City, Negros Occidental – P145,072,000.00; Concreting of 10.289 km Poblacion-Barasan-Tacoyong-Barirong-Tuyog FMR in Leon, Iloilo-P117,098,524.56 and the Rehabilitation of the 7.88 km Parara-Jamog FMR in Tigbauan, Iloilo – P77,075,000.00,” said Dr. Wen
dam.
Subprojects with NOL 1 are ready for bidding and completion of necessary documents needed for the issuance of NOL 2 which signals for the construction proper.
“We are optimistic that these FMRs will soon be granted with NOL 2 by the National Project Coordinating Office upon submission of the Bid Evaluation Report (BER) and other supporting documents relative to the FMR before this year ends and the construction will start early next year,” she added.
“We should work as a team, help each other and see to it all activities must follow process and procedure set by the project,” she ended. (JEEOgatis/InfoACE-RPCO6)
