The Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has approved three farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in Isabela and Quirino worth P249.2 million that will span over 33 kilometers, servicing production and marketing sites in the two provinces.
The PRDP National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) has issued the No-Objection Letter 2 (NOL-2) to the Rehabilitation ofNRJ Gamis-Calaocan FMR in Cabarroguis, Quirino; Rehabilitation of Magassi-Union-Camasi FMR, and Construction of Olango – Siempre Viva – Trinidad – Manano FMR both in Isabela, which signals the Local Government Unit (LGU) and contractor to start with the construction of the three FMRs.
Both road networks in Isabela will link towns and barangays to support the agriculture activities in the province especially the dairy industry, which is the priority commodity of the provinces.
Upon the issuance of the NOL-2, a Notice of Award (NOA) and Notice to Proceed (NTP) will then be issued to the contractors followed a pre-construction conference to be conducted by the Provincial LGUs.
Aside from the newly-approved sub-projects, the North Luzon cluster under the PRDP has two sub-projects issued with NOL-1 with on-going rebidding amounting to P240 million, and a P98 million subproject awaiting for the issuance of NOL2.
According to PRDP Project Director Emerson Palad, the FMRs built under the Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD) component are essential to support the marketing and enterprise activities in the areas. He also stressed that infrastructures built under the PRDP must be world-class and climate-resilient.
“We work hand-in-hand with the World Bank and the Local Government Unit in bringing FMR projects to help modernize agriculture and uplift the lives of the rural farmers,” he added.
DA-PRDP is a six-year national project that aims to establish a modern, inclusive, value-chain oriented, and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. It is implemented through the partnership of the DA, World Bank and Local Government Units. (Kayla Arceo, Department of Agriculture North Luzon)
Posted By: Lynne Pingoy
