The blessing and official turnover of the 4.197-kilometer Rehabilitation/ Improvement of the Lalab-Bay-ang-Magpag-ong FMR in Batan, Aklan was held by the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office 6 through the efforts of the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) Aklan on March 3, 2022.

A total of 1,375 households within the road influence area is set to benefit from the PhP 77,946, 400.83-worth FMR subproject. It was first issued with No Objection Letter 1 on December 3, 2018 and with the Notice of Award on November 28, 2019. The construction has started on December 21, 2019 and its completion is dated November 22, 2021.
DA Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter graced the turnover activity as resource speaker. During her speech, she expressed her gratefulness to the farmers and fishers because despite the threat of the global health crisis which is the COVID-19 pandemic, they continue to maintain food security not only in the Province of Aklan but of the region and of the whole country.

“Based on the account of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the agriculture and fishery sector in Western Visayas has spurred a positive rate in the economy in the past year, thus served as a silver lining amidst its contraction among other aspects due to the pandemic. It is why we are thankful to you for your continuous dedication in ensuring that there is food in the table of every Filipino family,” cited Recoter.

She as well lauded the Aklan PPMIU which facilitated the processing of the documentary requirements and the materialization of the PRDP projects in the province.

“We commend the efforts of our PPMIU in the province and entrust at the same time the maintenance of the recently-turned over road among the barangay officials who are the beneficiaries of the project so this may be used by the next generations to come,” she added.

Meanwhile, Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores stressed that the agriculture is among the top priorities of the province as this serves as the major player to bolster the economy of the province.

“Our partnership with the DA will not cease as we have seen from the very beginning that our top priority is agricultural and tourism development. These are undoubtedly the key strategies towards the advancement of our province,” said Miraflores.

The FMR subproject that was recently turned over particularly aim to reduce travel time, improvement of access to basic necessities, reduce annual road maintenance, hauling cost, and post-harvest losses among its farmer beneficiaries and as well as residents within the covered area.

The said activity was attended by the key officials of the Province, project beneficiaries, DA-PRDP officials and staff led by RED Recoter, Deputy Project Director of PSO Visayas and RPCO 6, Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo and Engr. Moises Mana-ay, respectively, and other project stakeholders. (April Grace Padilla, RPCO 6, Writer)