Farmers and residents in the Municipality of Rizal in Zamboanga del Norte can look forward to easier transportation to and from the market after the ground breaking ceremony on September 6, 2022 for two new FMRs.

While are still a lot of farming communities in need infrastructure support in the province, for the Rizal town, the implementation of the two farm-to-market roads (FMRs) are dream come true for all of their residents. These subprojects include the 5.90 kilometers “Concreting of the National Road Junction at Barangay San Roque up to Rizalina”  and the 3.2 km “Mapang – Mabuhay FMR” both of which are implemented under the I-BUILD component of the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

Rizal Municipal Mayor Marissa Manigsa and Regional Project Director Rad Donn Cedeño lead the ground breaking ceremony in Municipality of Rizal.

The development objectives of these subprojects are to lessen travel time, increase traffic count, and reduce post- harvest losses in transporting agricultural goods. These will improve the mobility of farmers especially while delivering their harvested copra, cacao beans and high valued fruits.

Rizal Municipal Mayor Marissa Manigsa joined the ground breaking ceremony and expressed her gratitude that the project has officially kicked off.

“I’m honored and thankful to be the one implementing this multi-million peso infrastructure project. I’m sure you are happy now because very soon you will enjoy a nice road,” said Manigsa.

Mayor Manigsa recognized the efforts of the former local officials who proposed the said subprojects to DA-PRDP and she called for the cooperation and support of the community during its implementation.

Regional Project Director Rad Donn Cedeño sought full support from the LGU of Rizal to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

“The Department of Agriculture recognized the effort of the past administration but the success of this project lies with the current leadership of Mayor Manigsa,” Cedeño. “We seek for the full support and cooperation of the local executive for the operation and maintenance of the road which will be tasked to the LGU.”

Meanwhile, Municipal Engineer Jenifer Sagaray who led in the compliance of documentary requirements for the subprojects, asked the support of the recipient communities to allow for a smooth implementation of the construction.

Barangay Captains Evangeline Galanido (San Roque); Robert Laurente (Rizalina), Rolyberth Rose (Mabuhay) and Romel Sumagang (South Mapang) took turns in expressing their thanks and gratitude to the previous leaders of Rizal and DA-PRDP for the realization of their long-awaited cemented road which would eventually reduce their travel and transportation cost and improve their socio-economic activities. (Joy M. Montecalvo, PSO Min with reports from RPCO 9)