House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez led the Western Visayas bloc congressional representatives in endorsing the farm-to-market road (FMR) bill, signaling a unified push for rural development and agricultural sustainability.
Romualdez and fellow lawmakers Janette Garin (1st District, Iloilo), Raul Tupas (5th District, Iloilo), Julienne Baronda (Lone District, Iloilo City), Ma. Lucille Nava (Lone District of Guimaras), James Ang Jr. (Uswag Ilonggo Party-list), and Lex Anthony Cris Colada (AAMBIS-OWA Party-list) gathered at the SEAFDEC, Tigbauan in Iloilo April 25 and reaffirmed their commitment to advance the FMR Bill.
The legislation seeks to bolster the FMR Development Program and allocate the necessary funds for its implementation. The bipartisan support for the FMR bill underscores a shared dedication to improving accessibility for farmers and enhancing transportation networks for agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas said in a statement.
The solons emphasized the pivotal role of such infrastructure investments in driving economic growth and fostering the well-being of rural communities.
With this endorsement, Congress members hope to propel the FMR bill forward, recognizing its potential to catalyze progress in traditionally-underserved regions and strengthen the foundation of agricultural livelihoods nationwide, the DA said. ||
