After thorough deliberation, the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved the longest farm-to-market road (FMR) in the region during the RPAB meeting held at Fersal Hotel, Puerto Princesa City.

The “Construction and Upgrading of Junction Salban – Culasian – Magsaysay FMR” in Dumaran, Palawan has a total span of 17.166 kilometers, five meter carriage way all throughout, 1.5 meter shoulders, and one meter ditch canal on both sides.

The project cost increased from P195 to P249 million due to the change of Associated Construction Equipment Lessors (ACEL) Rates from 2009 to 2014. Likewise, the increase was based on the Subproject Appraisal Report conducted by the Joint Inspectorate Team.

Dumaran Municipal Mayor Medwin Pablico expressed his gratitude for the approval of the the FMR. “Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa PRDP, it is almost four years na talagang pinapanalangin namin na sana magkatotoo ang pangarap ng mga taga Dumaran na magkaroon nang maayos na kalsada (We are thankful to the PRDP, it is almost four years that we are praying for an improved road, a long-time dream of the people of Dumaran).”

The unpaved road is not passable during rainy season and it also lacks slope protection and drainage system. The construction and upgrading of the subproject will provide convenient and safe road access especially for the farmers and fisherfolk as they transport their major products such as cashew, rice, coconut, banana, mango, and seaweeds.

The FMR subproject also intends to facilitate transportation of raw materials needed in the PRDP subproject Palawan Cashew Processing Center in the Municipality of Roxas and provide faster access from the said processing center to the market area.

The Department of Agriculture-MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director chaired the RPAB meeting. Other members of the board present in the meeting are from the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highway, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. ### (Bernadeth Z. Respicio, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Dumaran Municipal Mayor Medwin Pablico extends his gratitude to the RPAB members for the approval of the “Construction and Upgrading of Junction Salban – Culasian – Magsaysay FMR”. (Photo by Paulo Emmanuel Ajose, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

The RPAB members headed by DA-MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Antonio Gerundio (center) facilitates the deliberation of the subproject. (Photo by Paulo Emmanuel Ajose, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) Technical Working Group Member Rodolfo Flores Jr. presents the feasibility study of the subproject for RPAB approval. (Photo by Paulo Emmanuel Ajose, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)