The Provincial Government of Apayao can now proceed with the bidding of the Improvement of Cabatacan-San Mariano-San Jose Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) subproject in the municipality of Pudtol, after officially receiving the green light from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-up.

Proposed in support to banana and rice among other commodities produced in the locality, the subproject will provide a convenient and safe access for the farmers and residents along the FMR as they transport their agricultural produce. 

The proposed FMR subproject, which spans 5.554 kilometers, will start at barangay Cabatacan, will pass through barangay San Mariano, and will end at barangay San Jose. It has an estimated project cost of PhP153 million and is expected to benefit 502 households or 2,508 individuals.

With the issuance of No Objection Letter (NOL) 1, preliminary activities are set to be conducted on April 3-5, to orient PLGU Apayao on World Bank Harmonized Procurement Guidelines as well as the preparation of the Implementation Management Agreement (IMA). The IMA comprises implementation arrangements and specific guidelines for PRDP-funded subprojects within a given period, including the schedule of fund releases and liquidation reports.

The Improvement of Cabatacan-San Mariano-San Jose FMR is the second infrastructure subproject that was approved for DA-PRDP Scale-up funding in the Cordillera.### (Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR Writer)