Three concreted access roads worth P28 million are benefiting farmers in three localities in southern Negros Occidental.
In a report yesterday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the implementation of the road projects was in partnership with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
An allocation from the SRA funded the P13 million concrete farm-to-mill road from Barangay Dancalan in Ilog town to Barangay Mambugsay in Cauayan town.
The construction of farm-to-mill roads aims to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the timely delivery of sugarcane and other sugarcane products to sugar mills, distilleries and other processing facilities.
In convergence with the DA, the DPWH constructed the P5-million farm-to-market road in Barangay Tampalon in Kabankalan City.
Also, in Barangay Mambugsay in Cauayan town, a farm-to-market road worth P10 million, with grouted riprap as slope protection benefits, benefits about 200 residents, most of whom are farmers.
In a statement, DPWH-Western Visayas Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel said these concrete roads provide better access to far-flung areas and allow faster and cost-efficient delivery of products from farms to the mills and markets.
“Paving these roads offers a more stable and all-weather access and is considerably significant in reducing road mishaps or traffic incidents,” he said.
Negros Occidental Third District Engineering Office head Rodney Gustilo said these local roads will initiate development not only in agriculture but also in transportation and education.
“Motorists and residents are provided ease in travel comfort and better transportation experience,” he added. (PNA)