BESAO, Mountain Province – A new farm-to-market road (FMR) that will facilitate the delivery of farm produce and provide better mobility and access to farmers and residents will soon be opened here.

The first segment of the Besao-Nacawang and Tadian Mabalite FMR subproject, which spans 8.938 kilometers, is expected to facilitate safe and faster delivery of coffee, rice and other agricultural products to and from the municipalities of Besao and Tadian as well as the other municipalities that the road project influences.

Implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the Besao-Nacawang FMR (Segment 1) has a project cost of P98.54 million shared by the World Bank (loan proceeds), the national government through the DA, and the provincial local government of Mountain Province.

“The subproject is expected to be fully completed in a month or two as it has already reached 98 percent physical accomplishment as of the final inspection held last March 11,” said Engr. Genesis Deloeg, Rural Infrastructure Engineer.

During the final inspection, it was noted that road shoulders in some areas need to be reshaped and compacted due to the damages caused by rains and erosions aside from other necessary repairs along the road pavement.

Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Officer Rigi May B. Copatan also reiterated the complete clearing of boulders along the road and waterways upon the completion of the subproject before turnover.

Moreover, the subproject supports the Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise which is also implemented under the DA-PRDP. The coffee consolidation facility is located at barangay Kin-iway in Besao and a satellite coffee buying station is located at Poblacion, Tadian.

As for the Tadian-Mabalite FMR – the second segment of the subproject, it was repackaged and recently rebidded. Bid evaluation and post qualification of bidders are currently ongoing.

Upon the completion of the two segments, around 33 thousand local residents will be served by the improved road for the next 20 years. The development of the road is also seen to increase production area and open opportunities for farmers and residents in the two municipalities. ### ELVY TAQUIO ESTACIO (DA-PRDP)