“Maganda ang harmony and convergence ng agencies involved, even the community involvement na kasama namin sa social preparation.”

These are the words of Jessica Madrilejos, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and MPMIU Head of Milagros, Masbate during the recent approval of Concreting of Magsalangi Farm-to-Market Road proposed project during the Bicol Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) meeting on June 28, 2024.

The community of Brgy. Magsalangi was involved during the assessment of the road condition and inventory of trees. According to Madrilejos, the community was actively participating during the public consultations especially the land owners who willingly submitted their land title and deed of donations. All the sectors were involved from children youth, farmers, fisherfolks, women and person with disabilities (PWDs).

The Local Government of Milagros together with the community walked the whole stretch of six kilometers road. During the assessment of the road, they experienced sunny weather in the morning, but heavy rain poured afterwards which left the road muddy.

“Nagkaroon ng road opening in 2019 and it was the first time na nakakita ang mga bata ng vehicles inside the barangay and from then on we involved the barangay,” she added.

Barangay Magsalangi has the highest incidence of poverty in the Municipality of Milagros due to inaccessibility of road that will bring their produce to the nearest buying station or nearest area where they can sell their farm and fisheries commodities.

According to Mayor Natividad Isabel Magbalon, the RIA have potentials in agricultural and fisheries product. The famous fishery product within the RIA is the blue crab known for export since it can only be found in the area of Asid Gulf. The barangay also has dried fish and other fishery products, namely, aquaculture, milkfish, and other regular fishes. 

She also added that this 6-kilometers proposed road will have major benefits in the community, especially the farmers and fisherfolks. This FMR will promote accessibility and ease in hauling of their products.

“Malaking bagay sa kanila (beneficiaries) lalo na sa pagdadala ng products nila. Una yung time, yung cost saka syempre mas malaki ang kikitain nila kaysa gastos so we expect na ma uplift ang way of living nila kasi magkakaroon sila ng source of income with lesser expense”, she said.

The approved FMR is the first project to proposed by the Local Government Unit of Milagros under the PRDP Scale-Up. # (Shaira Enimedez, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)