Rosario: Some 15,000 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur will directly benefit from the approved PHP54.5 million farm-to-market road (FMR) project, officials said Tuesday. This development follows the signing of the implementation of the management agreement (IMA) on Monday between the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) and the local government unit.
According to Philippines News Agency, the signing of the IMA marks the commencement of the procurement, bidding, and subsequent implementation phases of this vital project, as explained by Vernon Jio Viajar, head of the Media Production Office for the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) of DA-13, in an interview. The improved road infrastructure is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, streamline the transportation of agricultural products, and enhance overall efficiency in reaching destination markets.
The MIADP program, supported by funding from the World Bank, is dedicated to enhancing agricultural productivity and improving market access for organized farmer and fisherfolk groups within selected ancestral domains across Mindanao. The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) No. 078 of the IPs makes up roughly 60 percent of Rosario town, covering approximately 21,000 hectares, with 373 hectares specifically dedicated to coconut production.
Vernon Jio Viajar further stated that these coconut production areas are primarily located within IP communities belonging to the Manobo tribe, serving as their main source of livelihood in Rosario. The construction of the 2.7-kilometer FMR will directly support the primary economic activity of the IPs in the area, which is coconut production.
The signed IMA also outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of both the DA and Rosario town throughout the procurement, bidding, and overall project implementation. Emiliano Pugosa, IP Mandatory Representative of Rosario, expressed his gratitude to the government for providing this infrastructure support to the Manobo communities within CADT 078. He emphasized that this FMR will significantly improve access for their tribal people, a vital component in further increasing their coconut production and ultimately helping to improve their quality of life.
The signing of the IMA was led by DA-13 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen and Rosario Mayor Jose Cuyos Sr.
