In preparation for the construction of a new Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Sta. Maria, Laguna, its municipal government, together with representatives from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) South Luzon Project Support Office (PSO) and CALABARZON Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO), conducted a pre-construction conference last November 28-29.

The said activity was attended by the Provincial Project Monitoring and Implementing Unit (PPMIU), barangay officials, project beneficiaries, and the project contractor.

A 7.17-kilometer FMR will soon be constructed along the barangays of Kayhakat, Bubucal, Inayapan, Calangay Coralan, and Bagumbayan. This P106.27 million-worth road will provide the necessary services and connection for almost 2,261 households.

“This road will allow our communities to increase their market participation and feel the social and economic prosperity driving the growth of Sta. Maria,” Vice Mayor, Virginia Tuazon, said during the activity.

The conduct of a pre-construction conference is important as it will prepare the local government unit, beneficiaries, and contractor regarding the requirements needed for implementation of their subproject.

During the discussion, officials from the PSO and RPCO imparted important updates and reminders regarding the monitoring and implementation of the subproject, such as the applied geotagging tool and social and environment safeguards.

The necessary documents/certifications needed for the financial aspect of the subproject were also discussed.

In addition, the winning contractor for the FMR presented its construction methodology to provide a glimpse of how they will finish the road within the allotted schedule.

The RPCO CALABARZON Deputy Project Director, Abelardo Bragas, who attended the event, hopes that everyone involved should take part and exert effort the success of the subproject.

“We hope you will put into your heart all of the new learnings you heard today. We are one in wanting to ensure and deliver good quality road for all of the residents of the concerned barangays,” Bragas said. – Lawrence Albert Bariring, InfoACE Unit, DA-PRDP CALABARZON RPCO