Improved farm-to-market roads benefit local farmers in northern Iloilo towns

Local farmers in the remote barangays of Concepcion and San Rafael towns in northern Iloilo are now enjoying a faster and cost-effective transport system through concreted farm-to-market roads (FMRs).

The projects were undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Iloilo 3rd District Engineering Office, in convergence with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

DPWH-6 Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado said these concrete roads provide easier and faster transport connectivity from farms to the market.

“With the improved roads, basic services such as health, social and other government services can be easily delivered to the people even in remote areas. Our farmers can easily transport their products to the market, spending less in hauling cost, thus making earning more for their families,” Delfinado said.

The 807-lineal meter FMR in Brgy. Jamul-awon in Concepcion, which cost ₱12.5 million, involves the concreting of the existing earth road, construction of drainage and slope protection, and installation of reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.

The FMR in Brgy. Ilongbukid in San Rafael town, on the other hand, involves concreting of 706.5-lineal meter access road, leading to various farmlands in the area.

According to Ms. Rosita Valencia, one of the residents of Brgy. Jamul-awon, the concrete road is a great help especially among the people in the highlands.

“We used to have old, rough road, where it was difficult to travel due to numerus potholes and inconvenient pathway. But after the completion of the cement road, we can now bring our products easily to the market, without spending much for transportation,” Ms. Valencia said.

Meantime, RD Delfinado said that more farm to market connectors are being undertaken by DPWH in various areas in the Region, which aim to provide a better and seamless transport system for faster delivery of goods and services especially in these times of COVID-19 pandemic. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)