The PHP500 million worth farm-to-market road (FMR) projects being constructed in different barangays in the 3rd District of Albay are expected to bring economic development benefitting residents, mostly farmers, a Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) official said on Wednesday.

Patricia Rastrullo, DAR-Albay program officer, said almost 6,000 farmers will reap benefits from four FMRs in the towns of Polangui, Guinobatan, Oas and Libon.

“The road projects will open opportunities to our farmer-beneficiaries as well as to the residents of the different far-flung barangays. These will improve transportation accessibility and will provide livelihood opportunities along the constructed roads. It will give more income to the residents, farmers, even the barangays,” Rastrullo said in an interview.

With the projects, products like coconuts, crops, sweet potatoes, cassava and corn harvested by farmers will be easily delivered to the market, she said.

“Since there is no easy access to roads, the farmers must rent tricycles or motorcycles at a higher cost. The product will not be delivered immediately since they have to wait for available transportation, but with these road projects, it will be easier, more efficient and less costly,” Rastrullo added.

The cost of the more than 15 kilometers of road projects is broken down as: Polangui town — PHP200 million; Guinobatan — PHP100 million; Oas — PHP100 million; and Libon — PHP100 million.

“We will closely monitor the project implementation to ensure compliance with engineering standards and Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program regulations,” Rastrullo said. (PNA)