The construction of a farm-to-market road in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija that is seen to hasten the delivery of agricultural products in the major markets in the province is now in full swing.

The PHP11.64-million project is implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office.

Funded under the 2022 Convergence Program of DPWH and the Department of Agriculture (DA), the project is expected to be completed in July this year.

DPWH-Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad said on Monday the 1.47-kilometer farm-to-market road will give farmers a faster and safer route when transporting their fresh produce and goods to the major markets of the province.

“DPWH believes that providing the agricultural sector with adequate infrastructure will help to accelerate the recovery of our farmers who have been severely affected by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic,” Trinidad said in a social media post.

He said farm-to-market road projects are one of the priorities of the government in agricultural provinces like Nueva Ecija to reduce farm product prices and to make food supply available to more people.

This year alone, the DPWH has completed the construction of three farm-to-market roads in the province — two in the villages of Padolina and Pias in General Tinio and Barangay Arcadia in Cabanatuan City.

Trinidad said the completion of these projects is now benefiting farmers in the community and in the neighboring villages.

“Farmers can now easily transport and deliver their farm produce to major markets,” he said.

Roberto Bago, a farmer-resident in Barangay Pias, General Tinio said travel time was greatly reduced after the road was completed, making it easier for them to bring their harvested crops to the markets or directly to the buyers. (PNA)