Three road projects in Ifugao implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) were officially inaugurated and turned over to the local government of Ifugao on October 13, 2022.

The subprojects include the 4.96-km Junction-Alimit-Nattum Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) worth PhP140.52 million located in the municipality of Mayoyao, the 4.6-km Viewpoint-San Fernando FMR worth PhP124.81 million, and the 8-km Anaba-Ducligan-Banao FMR with a 20-m bridge worth PhP245.63 million – both located in the municipality of Banaue. The latter is a new road opening.

During the turnover ceremonies, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey emphasized the role of the LGU in the maintenance of the road projects.

“Now that these FMR projects are turned over to the LGU, the maintenance work and ensuring that these roads are always open and accessible 12 months a year – on dry weather, rainy weather and even on stormy weather are also the LGUs responsibility” expressed Dir. Odsey.

He further commended the dedication and the perseverance of the implementing LGUs from the proposal to the completion of the road projects.

“The basis of approving proposed projects is the performance of the proponent LGU. From the provincial LGU, municipal LGUs and to the barangay LGUs, continue the good job that you are doing, and the DA will always be behind you,” Dir. Odsey said.

Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog expressed his immense gratitude to the DA-PRDP for the realization of the subprojects that were inaugurated.

“We in Ifugao are thankful to the DA-PRDP and for everyone’s sacrifices towards the realization of these projects. This is among the best programs of the government for it ensures that projects are completed as planned,” said Gov. Dalipog.

He further shared how the implementing LGUs were able to provide the required counterpart fund for the subprojects and as to why the road projects did not reach the communities due to limited funds available for counterpart during the proposal stage.

The Junction-Alimit-Nattum FMR covers two barangays (barangays Palaad and Alimit) and benefits three more barangays within its influence area – Banao, Nalbu, and Nattum, benefitting more than 290 households. The Viewpoint-San Fernando FMR connects the two barangays and now benefits more than 360 households. Lastly, the Anaba-Ducligan-Banao FMR passes through barangays Anaba and Ducligan, and likewise serves the residents of barangay Banao benefiting more than 270 households. 

Aside from serving as an access road of peoples between the service communities, and, in the delivery of farm inputs and products, Gov. Dalipog further said that these road projects, have a secondary purpose. The roads help resettle people away from the rice terraces to appropriate settlement areas.

“Residential houses are now congested along the roads and are even built along the rice terraces, and I hope that the opening of these roads will lead to resettlement so that we can also preserve our rice terraces as we expand our production,” said Gov. Dalipog.

Ducligan Punong Barangay Clarita Uryan also expressed her gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries of the inaugurated FMR subprojects.

“This is an example of long and productive partnership between our officials and our project directors to mitigate agriculture-related concerns and lessen the negative socio-economic impacts on people. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for a dream realized especially the Anaba-Ducligan-Banao FMR. Words are never enough to describe our heartfelt appreciation for this advancement we will forever benefit from,” expressed Uryan.

Farmers and residents along the stretch of these FMRs are now assured of safe travel and transport of their agricultural produce with the completion of the FMR projects.

Under the DA-PRDP, the province of Ifugao has now 16 completed infrastructure subprojects with an aggregate cost of PhP578.72 million and three under implementation worth PhP470.95 million in support to the champion commodities of Ifugao. ### Elvy T. Estacio (DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR InfoACE Unit)