(SONA) Php352.6-M worth of FMR projects in Western Visayas completed as of June 30

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ILOILO CITY -– The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported completion of Php 352,600,000 worth of farm to market road (FMR) projects as of June 30, 2014, implemented throughout Western Visayas within the years 2012 to 2013.

The DA regional office 6 under Regional Director Larry Nacionales is implementing the FMR as priority projects to provide access to farmers in bringing in their products to the market and thereby address poverty in landlocked areas of Western Visayas.

Iloilo province is able to receive the most number of projects with their corresponding budgets in the total amount of Php133,600,000 for 38 FMR projects aside from the eight projects worth Php38 million in Iloilo city.

The projects that have the biggest cost allocation in Iloilo province are in Igbaras which has a length of 1.8 kilometers and implemented by the local government unit andthe concreting/improvement of Barangay Barasan-Igtalongon-Pinaopawan-Bagcay-Passi FMR.

The province of Negros Occidental came next with Php46-million cost allocation for its 14 FMR projects. Bacolod City, a chartered city in Negros Occidental, also got Php10,000,000 for the concreting of Barangay Cabug FMR that has a length of 1.29 kilometers.

Capiz got Php52 million cost allocation for its 24 FMR projects. The biggest project implemented is concreting of the 1.0085-kilometer Quia Proper Barangay Timpas FMR in Panitan, Capiz that has a funding of Php12,000,000.00.

Aklan province received P46 million for its 15 FMR projects with construction/improvement of Manika FMR in Libacao getting the biggest allocation of P15,000,000.00 for its 0.7- kilometre stretch and being implemented by the local government unit.

Guimaras received P23.5 million for the 13 projects implemented in the island province.

The project that received the biggest funding in Guimaras is the concreting of the 0.162-kilometer Tinuslukan, Dolores-Tando FMR in Nueva Valencia in the amount of P3,500,000.00.

Antique province received P3.5 million for its two FMR projects – the improvement of 0.457-kilometer Barangay Sto. Rosario FMR in Pandan amounting to P2,500,000.00 and concreting of 0.17-kilometer Sitio Panacawon, Barangay Tamayoc FMR in Patnongon with a funding of P1,000,000.00.

Governor Exequiel B. Javier, in an interview during the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting last week, said that road constructions are very important to attaining development. “Where the road stops poverty begins,” the governor said.

He said that Antique province needs more road constructions and other basic services such as Day Care Centers and health aide so they would really feel that the government cares for them.

“Give us more access roads to the barangays,” Gov. Javier has urged the national government.