The Province of Ilocos Sur inaugurated the 6.18-kilometer Rehabilitation of Tubigay-Baracbac-Nagcullooban Farm to Market Road (Sinait FMR) in Sinait and started the construction of the 15.48-kilometer Rehabilitation of Pug-os-Nagcullooban Farm to Market Road (Cabugao FMR) in Cabugao on 27 December 2020.
The Sinait FMR is the very first infrastructure proposal of the Province of Ilocos Sur under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). It has a total project cost of Php76,529,718 and will benefit 1,665 people within the rural influence area. The FMR started on April 24, 2017 and was completed on November 14, 2019.
Meanwhile, the Cabugao FMR is the longest and largest implemented infrastructure subproject under the PRDP in Region 1. It has a total subproject cost of Php199,703,775.25 and is expected to service seven (7) barangays. Its target completion date is on 16 December 2021.
The inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony were spearheaded by Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, PhD, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson, Ilocos Sur 1st District Representative Congressman Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Ilocos Sur Sangguniang Panlalawigan Agriculture Committee Chair Efren Rafanan.
Both FMRs directly support the mango commodity which is among the priorities under the PRDP and also benefit other commodities like rice, corn, and tobacco.
The completed Sinait FMR and the ongoing Cabugao FMR are expected to increase the take-home income of farmers within the influence area given reduced transportation costs, reduced post-harvest losses, and increased accessibility. # # # (DA-RFO I, PRDP Info Ace)