Inspired by Ramon, the first municipality in Isabela to implement a multi-million I-BUILD subproject rolled out under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the Municipal Government of Quirino, Isabela packaged its Sta Lucia-Sta Catalina farm-to-market road (FMR), spanning 13. 64 kilometers of undulating ricefieds, connecting 4 barangays.

With an initial project cost of 226 million pesos inclusive of a bridge, the FMR will directly support aromatic rice, double diamond variety which is grown steadfastly in the 2,794 hectares utilized in the area. Tobacco, corn, mango and commercial rice are also grown in Quirino.

Isabela, the second biggest province in the Philippines and considered the corn capital, is also one of the biggest producer of rice.

Notably, aromatic rice in different varieties are harvested in Quirino.

Mayor Eduard Juan, decisive for the implementation of the FMR is backed by the Sangguniang Bayan members led by the vice mayor. (Ferdinand N Cortez, RPCO2 InfoACE Unit)