Each road that links farming areas to the market has a long lasting impact on the lives of its beneficiaries. 

The farm-to-market road constructed by the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) has been a symbol of peace in the simple community of Barangay Manion, Parang, Maguindanao.  Locals here are now motivated to engage in farming and livelihood activities as better transportation provide them with better access to market. 

Brgy. Manion is inhabited by several Moro Islami Liberation Front (MILF) Mujahideen most of whom are dependent on farming for their livelihood. Their usual crops include rice, corn, and coconut. 

Mala Pantikan recalled how hard and desperate they were during those times when the road was inaccessible and they had to spend more to transport their farm products to the market. 

“Back when we still didn’t have this road, we used to haul our goods with the help of horse or carabao just to bring it to the highway which is costly since we used to pay P20 to P30 per sack,” said Pantikan. 

For him, the government’s effort in reaching those who live in secluded parts of the town is a winning formula to attain peace.

“When the government built a road here in our community, we felt important  knowing that they recognize us. They gave us a road that makes our lives better and we are very happy,” he added. 

The Rehabilitation/Concreting of Barangay Manion Farm-to-Market Road project was completed around two years ago. This 3 kilometer FMR did not only bring benefit to the farmers in the community but also to all residents in the area. 

King Khalid Yupadi who is the concurrent Chairman of Brgy. Manion shared his story of hardship when he was still a student living in the same community without the well-paved road. 

“We used to bring plastic bags during rainy days to wrap our shoes or slippers they would not be covered with mud. Back then, if we wished to go to the market, it would take us 40 minutes long because we would have to walk just to reach a highway to wait for passenger vehicle. But now, the vehicles are the ones coming here to fetch passengers,” said Yupadi. 

This FMR is worth P 29.53 million and 301 households are already benefiting from it .  (Joy Montecalvo with reports from RPCO BARMM)