The Kalinga Provincial Government can now proceed with the bidding of the proposed improvement of the Banneng-Darulog-Bawac Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Tanudan, after receiving the green light from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

Through the DA-PRDP National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), the No Objection Letter (NOL 1) was issued on December 22, 2021, allowing the proponent Local Government Unit (LGU) to proceed with the bidding process.

The proposed FMR, which spans a total of 6.168 kilometers, covers three (3) barangays in Tanudan, expected to benefit around 479 households within its influence area. It has a total project cost of PhP152.38 million.

As the road project is connected to the improved Banneng – Gombowoy FMR, also implemented under the DA-PRDP, it is seen to further improve access to production areas from the proposed site, thereby reducing postharvest losses and travel time.

The FMR subproject will also support the operation of the Kalinga Integrated Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise under the I-REAP Component of the DA-PRDP, since two of its Proponent Groups (PGs) are based in Tanudan.

A pre-procurement conference with the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Kalinga will be conducted within this month for an orientation on the World Bank Harmonized Procurement Guidelines, providing assistance on the preparation of the Bidding Documents./ Elvy T. Estacio (RPCO-CAR InfoACE)