The concreting of the farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Brgy Lamdas Mabinay, Negros Oriental will provide ease and comfort to the farmers in the area.
In the recent joint inspection conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the 792.3 linear meter (0.792 kilometers) with 5.0 width FMR, both agencies confirmed that all aspects of the road project meets the necessary standard and specification.
DA7’s Engineer Noel Cahiles, the focal person on the Farm to Market Road Development Program (FMRDP), said the P 15-million FMR is road concreting that traverses from Brgy Lamdas to Brgy. Canggohob to Brgy. Cansal-ing. With the FMR, farmers can transport their agricultural produce with ease from their barangays to the main trade center which is located in the town proper. It will also reduce post-harvest losses and lower transportation costs, Cahiles added.
Lilia Abendan, a farmer-resident of Brgy. Lamdas, who owns 1 hectare of banana plantation, was happy with the development of their area.
“Dako kaayo ang kalahian sa among pagpanguma sa nangagi ug karon. Kay sauna, maglisud gyud mi og adto sa lungsod tungod sa kalisud sa dalan, ilabina gyud kung ting-ulan kay danlog kaayu unya angaton pa gyud. Mao nga ang among mga abot dri ra gyud kutob sa among barangay ug pangkunsomo sa pamilya. Dili gyud makabayad sa among kahago pero karon naa na ning konkreto nga dalan, sayon na kaayu ang paghandos sa among mga abot adto sa tabo sa lungsod unya dili napod delikado ang among pagbiyahe”.
(There’s a big difference with regards to our farm activities (before and now). Before, going to the poblacion (center) was very difficult due to bad road network. The road is going uphill and very slippery especially during rainy season. Hence, our products are marketed only in our area and for consumption. It is not worth the sacrifices. Now, that the road is concreted, transporting our products to the main poblacion are now easy and our travel is safe.)
Christie Abilliar, a vegetable and corn farmer and mother of 2 grader-students, shared that the concreted road will not only help the agriculture sector but also the education sector. The students will have no reasons not to attend school due to road accessibility. Abilliar will have more time to spend in her farm with the convenience of sending her children to school.