The Department of Public Works and Highways said it successfully facilitated better access to Barangay Culipapa in Hinobaan town, Negros Occidental, through a newly-constructed road that leads to various farmlands in Sitio Cemeco.
The farm-to-market road (FMR) is a P48.25-million project implemented by the DPWH Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineering Office, with budget sourced from the 2020 General Appropriations Act, Secretary Roger Mercado said, based on reports from DPWH 6 director Tiburcio Canlas and district engineer Rodney Gustillo.
The newly-concreted paved road has a length of 1.95 kilometers, and the project included grouted riprap for slope protection and metal railings on identified areas with high elevation.
“People will no longer have to travel for an hour using improvised motorcycles or habal-habal, or three hours on foot or hauled by carabao, when going to Sitio Cemeco,” Mercado said in a press release, adding that the project greatly benefits farmers in transporting products from their community to nearby market centers.
DPWH senior undersecretary for Regional Operations Rafael Yabut said the once rugged road located on the mountain side is a potential area in the production of crops. “The improvement into a concreted and wider road allows four-wheeled vehicles to go in and out of the community more conveniently,” he added.
The agency said it is hopeful that through this infrastructure development, social and economic situation in the area will be better and access to basic government services, like health, education, and peace and security, will be ensured. — NND
