Close to 2 million agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and rural residents are expected to benefit from the PHP28.243-billion bridge-building initiative approved by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III, in a news release Tuesday, said the French-funded “Pang-Agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (PBBM) Bridges” project will soon be rolled out following its approval this year.

“Nalalapit na pong pasimulan ang proyektong ‘Tulay ng Pangulo.’ Inaprubahan na po ng NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority but now called DEPDev) ang nasabing proyekto ngayong taon,” (The implementation of the ‘Tulay ng Pangulo’ project is about to begin anytime soon. The NEDA approved the said project only this year),” he said.

Under the program, at least 350 steel bridges will be constructed nationwide to link agrarian reform communities to towns, markets, schools, and health centers, easing the transport of farm produce while improving access to essential services.

At least 350,500 households, or an estimated 1.75 million individuals, including surrounding communities, are projected to directly benefit from the project.

Estrella said the project, expected to be completed on or before June 2028, is fully supported by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and will be implemented in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units (LGUs).

“Makaasa po ang ating mga ARB sa mas maraming suportang serbisyo na magpapalakas sa kabuhayan at magpapahusay sa food security ng bansa (Our ARBs can be assured of more support services to improve livelihood and food security of the country),” he said. (PNA)