“Sobrang laki ng naitulong sa amin ng kalsada at tulay sa aming pamumuhay, pati na rin sa pag-aaral ng mga bata. Noong wala pa ang tulay, pahirapan po talaga ang pagpunta sa paaralan dahil limitado lang ang mga sasakyang nakakapasok dito. Minsan nga sumasakay sa backhoe ang mga guro para lang makatawid sa ilog. Ngayon kahit umulan at lumakas man ang agos ng tubig sa ilog, sigurado pong ligtas at mabilis na ang aming biyahe. (The road and the bridge helped us a lot in our lives and in our children’s education. Before, it was difficult for the students to go to school because there were only limited vehicles available. The teachers used to ride backhoe just to cross the river. Now even if it rains and the river current is strong, we are assured that we can travel safe and fast)” said Brgy. Captain Antinogenes Regorgo of Brgy. Tobgon in Oas, Albay.

Not long ago, the residents in the ten barangays from Pistola to Tablon in Oas, Albay have to ride on a carabao or just walk to reach their destination for only a number of vehicles can enter their area because of the muddy and rough road.

With the Rehabilitation/Improvement of P250-million worth Pistola to Tablon Farm to Market Road (FMR) with 3 units bridges, residents have improved their living conditions and the profit of local farmers have likewise increased with the cultivation of new agriculture land area. Now, they can immediately deliver their products with cheaper transportation and hauling cost.

On the other hand, students are even more diligent in attending school because they would have no difficulty in getting to school.  They need not to walk some kilometers and be drenched in water every time it rains.

To maintain the durability of the FMR, the Philippine Rural Development Project – Regional Project Coordination Office No. 5 (PRDP – RPCO 5) conducted the Bridges and Roads Operations and Maintenance (BROM) Training to the barangay officials from the ten barangays covered by the FMR. The participants were oriented on the importance of operations and maintenance to the constructed roads and bridges as well as the duties and responsibilities of the barangay officials in citizens monitoring.

“Bilang Punong Barangay, gagawa po kami ng resolution at mahigpit po namin itong ipapatupad para mas tumagal pa ang buhay ng kalsada at ng mas magamit pa ito ng matagal. (As the Barangay Chief, we will make a resolution and we will implement it strictly to make the road longer and longer lasting)” Regorgo added.

The Rehabilitation/Improvement of 15-kilometer Pistola to Tablon Road with 3 units (90 lm.) bridges will benefit a total 1, 943 household.  This FMR will link production areas to major markets and open areas for economic investments opportunities. This will also help the residents provide efficient access to health and welfare facilities and other services. – Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO 5 InfoACE Unit

The participants to the Training for Bridges and Road Operations and Maintenance for the Rehabilitation/Improvement of Pistola to Tablon Farm to Market Road from the ten barangays of Oas.

Engr. Nery Romero of PPMIU Albay asks for the support of the Barangay Officials to create an ordinance to help maintain and prolong the durability of the the 15 km FMR with 3 units bridges Farm to Market Road in Oas, Albay.