The very first farm-to-market road in the province of Laguna under the PRDP I-BUILD component had broke ground in Santa Maria, Laguna. A 7.17-km road, it will connect six barangays of the town to provide necessary services and connection for almost 2,261 households.

“The people of Santa Maria are very glad that we will soon have a quality road that will stand the test of nature and time. I enjoin everyone to be steadfast during the construction stage so that when the constructor turn-over it to us, we will be proud of the end result,” Mayor Cindy Carolino said.

This “construction of Kayhacat-Bubucal-Inayapan-Calangay-COralan-Bagumbayan FMR” subproject is in partnership with the municipal government of Santa Maria which provided the 10% LGU equity for this P106.27 million FMR. According to the local officials, this road will allow their communities to increase their market participation and feel the social and economic prosperity currently driving their town’s growth.

DA-RFO CALABARZON Regional Executive Director and concurrent PRDP South Luzon Director Arnel de Mesa assured the municipality and its people that the PRDP will be with them every step of the way. “This road will be a testament to how we want our farmers have better future,” he added.

Farmers and their families will see their expenses such as hauling and transportation costs go down and become more economical in relation to their products harvested. In addition, social services will reach them faster and easier.

Also present during the groundbreaking activity is Vice-Mayor Virginia Tuazon; Regional Technical Director and concurrent PRDP CALABARZON I-SUPPORT Component Head Dennis Arpia; PRDP CALABARZON Regional Deputy Project Director Abelardo Bragas; and Atty. Antonio Carolino, the previous mayor who started the project proposal to PRDP. – Lawrence Albert A. Bariring, DA-PRDP CALABARZON RPCO InfoACE Unit