DA turns over P3.5 million farm-to-market road project

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (November 11, 2009) - More and better opportunities are now seen for the farmers of barangay Lun Masla and barangay Kinam with the completion of the second phase of the farm-to-market road of the Department of Agriculture's Support to Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program (DA-Selap).

The completion of the project, which cost P3.5 million covering 3.52 kilometers, was materialized thru the partnership of the local and provincial government of Sarangani with the DA.

During the ceremonial turnover Tuesday (November 10) of DA-Selap to barangay Lun Masla in Malapatan, Governor Migs Dominguez said the project will pave the way for farmers from the hinterlands to transport their agricultural goods to commercial areas.

"Sa una highway lang ang busy, karon, wala'y rason para dili ma-bibo ang inyong barangay tungod kay naabrihan na ang kalsada sa kabukiran. Kitang tanan maningkamot aron atong damgo, makab-ot nato. Next year, paningkamutan nato nga mahuman na ang dalan," the governor told residents.

It was learned that it will take another six kilometers before the road will totally reach barangay Kinam.Cipriano Pandita, municipal agriculturist, said the project has helped a lot of farmers from Lun Masla and Kinam.

Before, he said the road could not be passed by any four-wheeled vehicle. The farmers used to walk to bring their products to the market or transport their goods through horses and carabaos.

"The number of farmers nga naka-benefit sa first phase, has been tripled with the project's second phase," Pandita said. He added the construction of the road enabled farmers to transport their products faster and easier.

Norjaida Malik, a resident of Purok Islam in Lun Masla, was also very thankful that the project was implemented in their area.

"Maayo ni nga proyekto kay makatabang gyud siya sa amoa. Kung gusto namo moadto sa Kinam, dali na lang. Pero ang naka-nindot gyud ani, ang mga produkto gikan sa bukid mapuslan gyud kay unsaon man kung ang mga produkto didto dili makaabot dinhi sa ubos. Isa pa ang mga ginikanan nalipay gyud kay ang ilang mga anak nga nag-eskwela sa Kinam dili na pud malisdan," Malik said.

The second phase of the farm-to-market road project was started in April 3, 2009 and was completed in August 26, 2009. (Joy Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)