The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it has approved the implementation of more than PHP2.06 billion in farm-to-market (FMR) road and bridge projects nationwide.

This comes amid the government’s accelerated efforts to boost agricultural infrastructure investments to benefit Filipino farmers and fishers.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move will help strengthen the country’s agri-food supply chain, as well as market linkages.

“I’m sure these projects will improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolk, lower their expenses, and give them better access to markets,” he said, citing that bridges are “most transformative” as they replace river crossings, which are typically impassable during bad weather.

In particular, these FMR projects cover more than 66 km. of roads and 310 linear meters of bridges in Zambales, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Bukidnon, and North Cotabato, with the longest one stretching as far as 26 km.

“These projects are very crucial to our agri-food systems,” Tiu Laurel said.

These projects are funded largely through the World Bank-supported Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) Scale-Up.

Tiu Laurel then thanked the World Bank for its continued confidence in Philippine agriculture, noting that the lender has expressed interest in expanding its support as the program delivers results.

To speed up future approvals, Tiu Laurel also urged local government units (LGUs) to continue preparing projects that meet World Bank standards.

Besides this, the PRDP Scale-Up’s infrastructure package also includes irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities. (PNA)