ZAMBALES – Notwithstanding several struggles and on-going challenges caused by coronavirus pandemic, the construction of the 10-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road is on full swing to meet its target completion.

Recently, the Regional Project Coordination Office (PRCO 3) led by Engineer Bon Alexis Guatato together with Geomapping and Governance GIS Data Officer Engineer Maurice Pineda, Social Environmental and Safeguards (SES) Associate Prince Roy Cruz and I-BUILD Project Development Associate Roel Yadao initiated a two-day site-inspection of the subproject on December 2-3, 2020.

According to Engineer Guatato, the project has attained 55% in its physical accomplishment and is expected to be completed early next year.

“There might be setbacks with the construction of the road but we are discovering ways to adapt and move forward while dealing with the pandemic in a new way to work,” he added.

Soon, residents from the barangays of San Agustin and Dirita can travel with ease following the improvement and concreting of the road funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

It was learned that farmers here still use carabaos with wooden haulers (wagon) to facilitate the delivery of their produce but with the improvement of the road, they will enjoy a hassle-free conveyance to and from food production areas.

The FMR project will also support the efficient transportation of mango, cassava, sweet potato and other commodities in the province. (MA. REINA LEN G. LUNA, RPCO3 InfoACE)