Commuters from the inner barangays of South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur face significant challenges in reaching their destinations, particularly during rainy days. Their hardships will soon be alleviated upon the completion of the Bangsamoro Government’s farm-to-market roads. (Photo courtesy of MAFAR)
COTABATO CITY—The commencement of Bangsamoro Government’s construction for two farm-to-market roads on Oct. 3 is a significant step towards enhancing agriculture and rural development in Maguindanao del Sur.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform – Philippine Rural Development Project (MAFAR-PRDP) and Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO-BARMM) are leading the said project.
Accordingly, the partnership between MAFAR-PRDP and the Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Sur aims not only to boost agricultural productivity for MagdelSur farmers but also to foster rural development and lasting peace.
In a message delivered by Deputy Project Director of MAFAR-PRDP Ammal Solaiman, MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob noted the project’s pivotal role in bringing the Government of the Day closer to the community.
“We would like to acknowledge the strong effort of our province which is willing to provide the equity for their municipalities. I hope all the stakeholders of this project will support in implementing this subproject,” said Yacob, adding that these initiatives are aligned with the directives of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
“For MAFAR-BARMM, we will give our full commitment because we want to provide a good future to our younger generation,” he added.
The projects, worth P252.1 million, were financed by the World Bank Second Additional Fund, with a European Union Co-Financing Grant of 25 million and 10% equity contributed by the Local Government Units of Maguindanao del Sur.
The project covers a 6.2-kilometer concreting of Brgy. Pandan farm-to-market road with a total cost of 101.3 million and a 10-kilometer concreting of Barangays Rempes and Darugao farm-to-market road with a total cost of 150.8 million, all in South Upi, Maguindanao.
Mindanao Project Support Office Director Abel James Monteagudo pledged to support RPCO and LGUs’ infrastructure projects that meet the criteria, provided that the LGUs contribute their equity.
Provincial Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur expressed profound gratitude to PRDP for turning this project into a reality.
“Road accessibility is a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to address the needs of farmers, combat poverty, and maintain peace and order in the area,” Mangudadatu said.
Vice Governor Nathaniel Midtimbang said, “Itong proyekto ay napakaganda dahil ito po ang magbubukas ng pag-asa, development doon sa area kung saan ay magiging recipient ng project.”
[This project is beneficial as it will bring hope and development to the area where it will be implemented.]
Mayor Reynalbert Insular stated the significance of South Upi as a key agricultural hub, contributing 40% of the municipal corn production through the five Barangays connected by the 6.2km farm-to-market road.
“The Concreting of Barangay Pandan Farm-to-Market Road is set to revolutionize road connectivity from South Upi to Talayan, streamlining the transportation of farmers’ produce,” Mayor Insular said.
The Mayor added that the road concreting will also facilitate seamless exchanges of commodities between farmers from South Upi and fisherfolk from the Municipality of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
