Marihatag: The Regional Project Advisory Board of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 13 (Caraga) has approved a proposed PHP106-million farm-to-market road (FMR) that aims to connect two villages in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur to market centers. The initiative, approved on Thursday, is set to enhance accessibility for local farmers and support the burgeoning cacao industry in the area.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA-13 announced on Friday that the proposed FMR will stretch over 3.58 kilometers and is expected to benefit approximately 4,879 residents, primarily farmers, in Barangays Bayan and San Isidro. This project falls under the Philippine Rural Development Program's Scale-Up initiative, which seeks to provide improved access and infrastructure to support agricultural development.

The RPAB, led by DA-13, comprises representatives from several regional government agencies, including the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Mindanao Development Authority. These entities have collaborated to ensure the project's strategic alignment with regional development goals.

In a separate statement issued on Friday, the municipal government of Marihatag expressed its approval of the project's endorsement, highlighting it as a significant step forward in enhancing the municipality's agricultural infrastructure. The local government unit emphasized that the FMR will not only strengthen the municipality's agricultural sector but also facilitate the efficient transport of farm products.

With the regional approval secured, the project proposal will now proceed to a national-level review. This process will precede other necessary requisitions, including procurement and bidding, as the project moves closer to implementation.