Nug-as, a small upland community in Alcoy, Cebu became the latest recipient of a completed farm-to-market road project from the Department of Agriculture.
On Thursday (27 May 2015), Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Cebu 2nd District Rep. Wilfredo Caminero led the inauguration of the two-kilometer FMR that links Nug-As to Mantalongon and Poblacion areas.
In his remarks, Alcala said the P24-million FMR project is an example of good coordination between the national government and local government units as it allowed DA to build a much-needed infrastructure in a community identified by the office of Rep. Caminero. By doing so, the government is able to touch base with its people, in line with President Aquino instructions, the DA chief said.
“’Yan po ang kabilin-bilinan ng ating mahal na Pangulong Aquino, na huwag na huwag pababayaan ang mga magsasaka sa buong bansa,” said Alcala, who became the first national official to ever set foot in the community. “Ganyan po kayo kamahal ni Pangulong Noynoy.”
Complementary
The FMR was envisioned to make human travel and the transport of goods to and fro the upland barangay, which is around two hours away from Cebu City, easier and faster. It, in fact, complements the Dalaguete Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (DAPTC) in Mantalongon, as it will help spur trading of agricultural products between Nug-As and Mantalongon, as well as other barangays. This will give local farmers wider market options, and consumers access to more affordable and supply of basic food stuff, Caminero said.
“Kay pag wala market day diri sa Nug-As, ang utanon sang Nug-As, dalhon sa Mantalongon. Ug magtabo pod ma-Sabado dinhi sa Nug-As ang mga utanon. Ga-kinanglan ta guwapo ka kalsada,” the lawmaker explained.
(During off-market days here in Nug-As, farmers can bring their produce to Mantalongon to sell. In turn, Mantalongon farmers can bring their produce to Nug-As during your market day every Saturday. Which is why we need good roads.”)
Alcoy Mayor Nicomedes De Los Santos, for his part, thanked DA and Caminero for facilitating the project, which he said will greatly benefit the local farmers, Nug-As being a major vegetable basket after Mantalongon, growing both upland and highland vegetables.
“Usa sa pinadako nga project dinhi sa lungsod sang Alcoy,” De Los Santos said. “On behalf of the barangay captains, our heartfelt thanks sa dakung proyektong niabot diri para sa among mga magbabaul,” he added. (This is one of the biggest projects to ever happen in Alcoy. On behalf of the barangay captains, our heartfelt thanks for this huge project for our farmers.)
Aside from Alcala, other key national and regional DA officials also took part in the event, including Undersecretary for Field Operations Emerson Palad and DA Regional Field Office-Central Visayas (DA RFO-7) Director Angel Enriquez.
Sustainable development
Alcala said the government is determined to ensure the sustainable socio-economic progress of Nug-As, as with other parts of the country.
As additional assistance, Alcala approved the request of Nug-As Barangay Captain Leopoldo Cabanug for additional funds worth P3 million to expand an existing solar water pump project to address the irrigation needs of hundreds of farmers.
The DA chief also asked DA RFO-7 to deliver at the soonest possible time two thousand pieces of planting materials – one thousand for cacao and another one thousand for guyabano – for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.
Alcala said he is willing to go back to Alcoy to see how DA’s programs and interventions would help uplift the lives of the farmers of Nug-As and other communities.
“Tama lamang na ang pamahalaan ang lumapit sa inyo para alamin at tugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan,” he said. (Mac Garcia,DA-OSEC)
Posted By: Lynne Pingoy
