The Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in the Visayas has formally turned oved the 18.5 km Hilaitan to Trinidad farm-to-market road to the local government unit of Negros Oriental on June 23, 2022.

The said FMR has total subproject cost of Php317.74 million and is expected to benefit farmers engaged in rice, corn, root crops, vegetables, native chicken, livestock and sugarcane, among others. It also serves more than 9,000 household beneficiaries, and 7,181 of which are farmers and fisherfolk.

“Our vision of having this paved road was not a walk in the park. The impact of the FMR paved the means for us to enjoy economic growth and development. It also addressed our peace and order situation specifically here in Trinidad,” said City Councilor Melbourne Bustamante.

Guihulngan City Vice Mayor Ernesto Reyes expressed his gratitude to the DA and pointed out how Guihulngan City has been fortunate to be given a big-ticket project from the PRDP.

“Our responsibility now lies on the maintenance of our road. Let us maintain this road to continue enjoying the ease in our daily living and livelihood for the next 20 years,” Reyes said.

On behalf of the DA-PRDP Project Support Office Visayas, Deputy Project Director Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo said “this turnover ceremony also means handing over the responsibility of maintaining the FMR by allocating maintenance funds, and implementing measures on the speed limit and load limit of vehicles.

Meanwhile, DA – RFO 7 OIC Regional Executive Director Joel Elumba encouraged farmers to maximize the use of the completed FMR by flaunting higher farm production yield.

“Barangay Trinidad has great potential for agricultural development. I am asking the farmers to make concrete plans and intensify the production by using the FMR, agricultural technologies, and agricultural inputs provided by the DA,” said Director Elumba.

The turnover activity was graced by outgoing Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, DA-PRDP PSO Visayas and RPCO 7 representatives, Guihulngan City Mayor-Elect and Vice Mayor Reyes, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army officials, personnel from the provincial project management and implementing unit of Negros Oriental, and barangay officials.

The FMR is seen to be the biggest solution not only in terms of transportation, but also uplift the living conditions of the people, improve livelihood, and even address the issue of insurgency in the area.