A total of PHP29.5 million in road projects have been completed recently to improve mobility for farmers and residents in remote agriculture areas of southern Negros Occidental.

At least 173 households in Barangays Vista Alegre and Consuelo of Ilog town can now benefit from the PHP19.6-million worth of concreted road, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas (DPWH-6) said in a report Monday.

Farmers from Barangay Tagukon in the adjacent Kabankalan City could now transport their produce faster through the improved two-lane road worth PHP9.9 million.

DPWH-6 Regional Director Nerie Bueno said in a statement the 945.5-lineal meter road in Ilog, which is situated along farmlands and agricultural areas planted to sugarcane and crops, will benefit farmers and agricultural producers.

“People in the barangays of Vista Alegre and Consuelo now have easier access to the town proper for their essential needs. Social, health, educational and other necessary government services will also be easily delivered,” she added.

In Barangay Tagukon, where most areas cultivate palay, bananas, sugarcanes and vegetables as the residents’ primary source of living, the paved road improves mobility, eases the transport of farm products and provides easier access to basic government services.

“This road provides access to four communities in the upland areas of Barangay Tagukon, which are identified as vast producers of crops and other agricultural products,” Bueno said.

Farmer Falconiere Gomez said through the concrete road, vehicles can now reach their farms, allowing them to easily transport their produce to the market.

“We used to carry these ourselves or use animals for transport. Traveling to the market then took a long time,” he added.

The road concreting projects were implemented by the Negros Occidental Third District Engineering Office headed by district engineer Rodney Gustilo. (PNA)