Tacloban city: The Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) for Eastern Visayas has approved the proposed PHP306.94 million farm-to-market road (FMR) project in San Jorge, Samar, under the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the project involves improving and concreting the 5.20-kilometer Buenavista-Matalud FMR, including a 102.2-meter bridge, converting a seasonally impassable route into an all-weather access road. "Once completed, the project is expected to directly benefit more than 2,100 residents, most of whom rely on farming as their primary source of livelihood," the DA regional office said in a statement.
During deliberations in Tacloban City, project proponents underscored the project's economic viability, citing an economic internal rate of return of 12.8 percent and a net present value exceeding PHP70 million. "During the deliberation, RPAB acknowledged the thorough preparation of the subproject, noting its alignment with PRDP's objective of fostering a modern, inclusive, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. Constructive input was also provided to further strengthen the proposal, ensuring that all technical, environmental, and social safeguards are adequately addressed moving forward," the DA added.
The project will reduce transportation and hauling costs, minimize post-harvest losses, and improve market access for local farmers, according to DA. Farmers cultivating coconut, rice, banana, and other high-value crops will gain better access to markets, farm inputs, and government services once the road is completed. The road network will also improve mobility, shorten travel time, and support the expansion of agricultural production across more than 2,200 hectares of farmland, the DA reported.
Composed of various national government agency representatives and chaired by the DA, RPAB is a crucial decision-making body responsible for reviewing and approving subprojects funded under the PRDP and the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project.
