DAR completes 3 farm-to-market roads in Albay

By Sally A. Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) --- Farmers and residents in the northern and northwestern towns of Albay now have faster and safer access to markets following the completion of three farm-to-market road (FMR) projects by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The newly completed roads in the towns of Polangui, Libon, and Oas are expected to reduce travel time and hauling costs while improving the transport of agricultural products and access to essential services for farming communities.

These projects were funded through the Agrarian Reform Fund and implemented by the respective municipal governments.

They include the Pintor–Kinuartelan–La Purisima Farm-to-Market Road Phase II in Polangui, the San Vicente–Niño Jesus–San Ramon Farm-to-Market Road in Libon, and the Tablon–Cagmanaba Farm-to-Market Road in Oas.

For farmers, these concrete roads mean a more efficient delivery of crops from remote villages to trading centers, helping to reduce transportation costs and post-harvest losses while creating better opportunities to increase farm income.

Benjie Palermo, a farmer from Barangay Tablon in Oas, said that transporting their produce has become much easier.

“Before, it took a long time to deliver our harvest to the market because the roads were steep and rough. Now, it is much faster and easier because of the road built by DAR,” Palermo said.

Norlito Villaraza of Barangay San Ramon in Libon mentioned that the project addresses a long-standing challenge faced by farmers in remote areas.

“Because of this project, we no longer have difficulty delivering our products from the fields to the commerce center,” Villaraza said.

Bob Razon, an agrarian reform beneficiary from Barangay Gamot in Polangui, added that the road not only speeds up the delivery of farm products but also provides an alternate route during emergencies when other roads become impassable.

“This is a tremendous help for us farmers because it makes it easier to transport our products to the town,” Razon said.

Romeo Bariso, a farmer from Barangay Binagbangan, noted that the improved road has alleviated the burden of transporting goods.

“Because of this, transportation has become faster, and our livelihood has improved,” he said.

Segundino Pante, an agrarian reform beneficiary from Barangay La Purisima, said that the wide concrete road would improve the livelihoods of farming families by providing more reliable access to markets throughout the year.

“Our road is much better now. This project will significantly help improve the livelihoods of every farmer,” Pante added.

The road projects form part of DAR’s ongoing support services program for agrarian reform beneficiaries, fulfilling President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve rural infrastructure, increase agricultural productivity, and expand economic opportunities in farming communities. (PIA Bicol/Albay)