Farm-to-market road projects get P500-M grant

The Japanese government has made available a P500-million grant for farm-to-market road projects that would benefit rice, corn, coconut, sugar farmers in Mindanao, according to the Department of Agriculture.

DA documents show that the grant, extended through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, covers three projects.

One is the rehabilitation of 4.7 kilometers of existing roads and one “small bridge” in Bumbaran town of Lanao del Sur.

Another is the construction and rehabilitation of 8.7 km of existing roads and four small bridges in Paglas, Maguindanao.

The third is the rehabilitation of 8.6 km of roads plus a river-crossing facility in Alamada, North Cotabato.

According to Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, the Philippine government, through the DA, will shoulder the value-added tax liabilities for the projects amounting to P50 million.

The DA’s regional field office in Soccsksargen will implement the project, with help from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Bangsamoro Development Authority.

Serrano said the projects would contribute to livelihood improvement in terms of facilitating the transport of agricultural products and increasing job opportunities for local farmers.

Roads that would be built shall meet standard specification in Japanese grant aid with consideration of national geographic and social condition, he added.

Officials from Jica and the National Economic and Development Authority yesterday signed an agreement related to the grant, which is meant to address community development in conflict affected areas.