MAGSAYSAY, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO – After being issued with Notice to Proceed on May 18, 2020, the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro led the groundbreaking for its first ever farm-to-market road (FMR) subproject under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) on July 16, 2020. 

This is the five-kilometer Upgrading/Concreting of Barangay Poblacion FMR located in the Municipality of Magsaysay with an estimated cost of P95.6 million.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the PRDP, gave its first approval for the subproject on July 23, 2015. However, due to changes in the thickness and length of the road, it was again deliberated by the MIMAROPA Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) and given a go signal for the second time on May 10, 2018.

Under the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) for Onion, the Poblacion FMR is anchored on the input supply segment of the value chain with the objective of eliminating high transportation cost brought by the poor condition of the road.

Through the construction of the new road, the DA-PRDP aims to enhance the quality of life of onion farmers and at the same time boost the socio-economic situation of the members of the community within its influence area.

“This project will benefit our fellow rice farmers and especially our onion farmers. Onion is the high value crop here in Magsaysay town. This groundbreaking is a signal that this project will finally begin,” said Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Through the Poblacion FMR, the travel time in delivering inputs and outputs in the area is expected to be reduced as the road’s condition will now be cemented and improved. This will also lead to increased economic productivity since it will encourage, particularly the onion farmers, to cultivate more lands which will result in increased agricultural production.

In addition, the hauling costs as well as transport losses are also expected to decrease for other available commodities in the area such as garlic, monggo beans, watermelon, and rice. 

It will also become easier and more convenient for farmers and residents to go in and out of the barangay. In Barangay Poblacion and other covered areas, the FMR is projected to benefit a total of 1,672 households. 

“Right now, we have another project that is under review by the DA-PRDP and this is the Improvement/Upgrading of Barangay Manoot – Barangay Aguas FMR with Two Bridges. This is the largest proposed subproject under the PRDP in the MIMAROPA region with an estimated cost of P450 million,” Governor Gadiano added.

The Manoot – Aguas FMR with two bridges located in the Municipality of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro is also anchored to the input supply segment of the Onion PCIP to improve the poor condition of roads that are disadvantageous to the livelihood of farmers and residents based in the area. 

Meanwhile, the first infrastructure subproject of Occidental Mindoro, the Expansion and Development of Fish Landing, under the Tuna PCIP, has been completed and is ready to be used by the fishefolks in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. ### (Leira Vic Colongon, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the Upgrading/Concreting of Brgy. Poblacion Farm-to-Market Road last July 16, 2020 in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro. (Photo by Engr. Darwin Canlas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO SES Unit)