The Department of Agriculture-Calabarzon (DA-4A) announced the impending implementation of 80 farm-to-market road development projects (FMRDP) in 2024, with a combined cost of almost PHP1.3 billion.
Romelo Reyes, chief of DA-4A’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that a better road network in the five-province region will facilitate the quicker delivery of farm and ocean produce to consumers.
This, in turn, will lead to less spoilage of perishable goods, which is a major contributor to food inflation.
“The producers [farmers and fisherfolk] can transport their products to traders and consumers without difficulty and they will be able to get better prices and broader reach for their products,” Reyes said.
He revealed that 10 projects are allocated to Cavite worth PHP181 million; 11 projects for Laguna amounting to PHP195 million; 29 projects in Batangas worth PHP467 million; nine projects in Rizal worth PHP145 million; and 21 projects in Quezon worth PHP280 million.
Meanwhile, Reyes said each District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported to the DA the status of various FMRDP currently under construction.
The assessment activity ensured that Agricultural and Biosystems and Engineering Management Information System is in place to properly implement the projects.
By virtue of a memorandum of agreement (MOA), the DA has partnered with the DPWH for the FMR projects.
Under the MOA, the DA is the agency responsible for promoting agricultural development by providing and drafting policies, public investment, and services and support needed for domestic and export-oriented business enterprises.
The DPWH is the agency assigned to engineering and construction, and is responsible for planning, designing, building, and ensuring that infrastructure and facilities are maintained in accordance with established standards.
“The partnership of the DA and DPWH is very important because here, there is unity to quickly and smoothly implement the programs especially in the FMRDP,” Reyes added. (PNA)
