The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) through the Regional Coordinating Office (RPCO2) and the Provincial Local Government of Cagayan commenced the construction of the Iraga-Bayabat farm-to-market road with bridges subproject eight days following the groundbreaking ceremony on March 20, 2017.

After the subgrade preparation and putting up required structures covering about 8.5-kilometers from station 0+000 to station 8+583 traversing three existing bridges,  a total of six hundred seventy-eight (678) linear meters of single lane concrete pavement has been completed this month of May.

Earlier in April, the contractors mobilized their equipment; graders, dump trucks and mixers; set up their batching plant and deployed their technical and skilled personnel for the commencement of work. Roadwork such as excavation and grading for roadways followed; involving about 3 kilometers on staggered stations.

The construction of 2.6 kilometers embankment, in accordance with the specification, lines, grades, and dimensions was also accomplished. The placing and compacting of aggregate sub-base course on a prepared subgrade in accordance with the specification, lines, grades and cross-section of 946-meter staggered stations was also completed before the concreting which started on May 8, 2017.

“The subproject will promote the development of dairy producers in the barangays traversed by the ongoing FMR. Likewise, it will make market centers and trading points more accessible to farmer-residents and other crop growers.” Dr. Freddie B. Corsino, PRDP Action Officer said.

This farm – to – market road is the first PRDP-funded I-BUILD subproject in Cagayan Province. (Engr. Edmund Bert Banzali)