Bansalan: A new all-weather access road currently under construction is set to connect six farming communities in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, as part of an initiative by the Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region through the Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-11-PRDP).

According to Philippines News Agency, the project involves the rehabilitation of the Linawan-Alegre farm-to-market road, which commenced on May 30. Deputy Project Director Carlene Collado of the DA-PRDP announced the ongoing development in an online post, highlighting the road's coverage, which includes the communities of Linawan, Alegre, Bitaug, Anonang, Dolo, and Eman.

Collado emphasized the project's aim to construct climate-resilient roads that benefit not just farmers but the wider community, encompassing students, workers, small businesses, and health responders. The current state of the route presents challenges due to its uneven terrain and slippery conditions, particularly during the rainy season, complicating transportation efforts.

Farmers in these communities depend on motorcycles and trucks to deliver their produce, such as rubber, copra, cacao, and coffee, to markets in Bansalan, Davao City, and Makilala, North Cotabato. The 7.8-kilometer subproject is designed to enhance the transportation of major agricultural commodities, including mango, coconut, banana, rubber, and durian, by offering improved market access and essential services.

The project is expected to lead to several beneficial outcomes, such as reducing hauling costs for farmers, minimizing transport losses, enabling potential agricultural expansion, decreasing travel times, and creating job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers during its construction phase.