Region 8 eyes additional PHP1.1-B for rural roads from WB

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 7 (PNA) – The government is set to implement additional 14 farm-to-market roads (FMRs) projects in Eastern Visayas worth PHP1.1 billion through the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Wilson Cerbito said the project will be financed through a USD450 million loan endorsed by Regional Development Councils in the country.

“The new investments will certainly generate economic and social benefits for the target beneficiaries in the region and further improve the capacities of local government units to effectively implement development projects, hence contributing to the achievement of inclusive growth in the countryside,” Cerbito said.

These projects include Calsadahay-Banayon-Bolirao-Maliwaliw FMR in Tanauan and Dagami Leyte; 

Kailingan to Salhag FMR in Rosario, Northern Samar; and Gonzaga-Lungib-Luisita-Buenasuerte-Maxvilla-San Roman-Pasabuena-San Miguel FMR in Victoria, Northern Samar.

In Samar province, these projects are Dau-San Eduardo FMR in Sta. Rita town, Lipata-Casandig FMR in Paranas, Serum-Guirang FMR in Basey, Inobongan-Poblacion FMR in San Sebastian, 

Inuntan-Mabini FMR in Basey, Villarosa-San Andres FMR in Villareal, and New Minarog-Pusongan FMR in Motiong.

In Southern Leyte, listed projects are Concepcion-Consolacion FMR in Sogod town, Kahupian-San Francisco-Mabuhay-Pancho Villa FMR in Sogod, Mabikay-San Pedro FMR in Sogod, and San Roque-Bahay FMR in Liloan.

These 14 rural road projects have a combined length of 100.90 kilometers designed to spur economic growth in farming communities of the region.

The PHP1.1 billion is on top of the PHP2.31 billion worth of 36 approved and pipelined infrastructure subprojects in five provinces of the region. The region’s current share is 6.3 percent of the PRDP’s infrastructure component portfolio nationwide.

PRDP is a six-year program (2014-2021) designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. It seeks to improve agricultural competitiveness and expand market access for any identified priority commodities under the project.

It has a total cost of PHP27.48 billion in four components – local and national level planning, infrastructure development, enterprise development and support.

Infrastructure development gets a big chunk of the budget at PHP18.5.53 billion, which accounts for 67.4 percent of the total outlay nationwide.

The PRDP aims to attain at least five percent increase per year in real household annual incomes of farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries; 30 percent increase in incomes for targeted beneficiaries involved in enterprise development; seven percent increase in value of annual marketed output; and 20 percent increase in the number of farmers and fisherfolk with improved access to DA services. (PNA)

FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO