By  Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR Writer

The improvement of Lamka-Mappit Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) subproject in Kiangan, Ifugao is set to start as the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) has switched on the green light to award the contract to the winning bidder.

On May 9, 2024, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan officially handed over the No Objection Letter 2 (NOL 2) for the FMR subproject to Kiangan Mayor Raldis Bulayungan. 

The issuance of NOL 2 signals the awarding of the subproject to the ALFALFA Construction with a contract amount of PhP136 million. 

The FMR subproject will connect barangays Baguinge and Duit in Kiangan and barangay Panubtuban in Asipulo. It is anticipated to improve the lives of 1,318 households, benefiting a total of 6,455 individuals (3,237 male & 3,218 female) residing within its influence area.

Proposed in support of the local coffee and banana industries, the subproject aims to facilitate convenient and secure access for farmers and residents along the FMR, enabling efficient transportation of their products. Additionally, it seeks to revive abandoned areas dedicated to coffee and banana production.

The Lamka-Mappit FMR is the first subproject in the country that was issued with NOL 2 under DA-PRDP Scale-up funding.

As part of the PRDP implementation process, a pre-construction conference will soon be conducted to discuss specific implementation guidelines and processes including the requirements for disbursement, among others.###