LUNA, Apayao – A total of 33 road projects amounting to PhP920.5 million garnered endorsement from Corazon D. Claveria, the Private Sector Representative (PSR) for Apayao in the Regional Development Council (RDC) Cordillera during the Fourth Quarter meeting of the RDC CAR in Baguio City.
The endorsed projects primarily focus on the development of farm-to-market roads (FMRs), designed to enhance connectivity and accessibility for farming communities, including beneficiaries of agrarian reform, to key markets.
Beyond facilitating improved transportation, these initiatives are anticipated to empower farmers in upgrading their products, resulting in enhanced value chains and facilitating the delivery of fundamental social services.
Representing the province through the Karagawan Indigenous Women Association (KIWA), Claveria disclosed these significant initiatives in her presentation on the civil society organization accomplishments for the year 2023, during the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo on January 8, 2023, held at the Aliwa Gymnasium in Luna.
Among the proposed projects, the municipality of Conner secures the largest market share encompassing 13 FMRs, totaling an investment of PhP430.5 million. Following closely, Pudtol has proposed five road projects with a combined worth of PhP168 million, while Kabugao has three projects totaling PhP93.45 million.
Calanasan, Santa Marcela, and Flora are also part of this comprehensive development plan, contributing with four, five, and three road projects respectively, with investment amounts of PhP81.6 million, PhP78 million, and PhP69 million.
The final nod for these endorsed projects rests with RDC Chairperson and Apayao Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. If approved, these initiatives will be executed under the Farm to Market Road Development Program facilitated by the Department of Agriculture. The proposed investments signify a concerted effort towards promoting agricultural and infrastructural development in the province, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable economic growth and enhanced quality of life for the communities involved. By PIO Apayao
