Newly paved roads in Iloilo aim to boost agri development

MANILA: Two farm-to-market roads (FMRs) that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently paved have improved access to agricultural products in the municipality of Zarraga and the district of Jaro in Iloilo.

DPWH Region 6 Director Nerie Bueno said that the road project in Zarraga entails the construction of a 2.9-kilometer, two-lane portland concrete cement pavement (PCCP) access road with slope protection from Barangay Inagdangan to Barangay Talibong.

“The concrete road will serve as a primary access in transporting products and services from farms to the market and neighboring towns, and also provide a faster and more convenient route from Iloilo East Coast Capiz Road to Iloilo-Capiz Road (New Route) and vice versa,” Bueno stated.

The DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) spent P32.3 million on the concreting of the Barangay Inagdangan-Talibong FMR.

The Department of Agriculture and the DPWH Iloilo City DEO, on the other hand, have completed the concreting of a P10-million FMR in Jaro District.

According to Bueno, the 246-lineal meter, two-lane FMR with gravel shoulder now efficiently connects the rural community of Barangay Lanit to various marketplaces in the highly populated city.

The newly paved FMRs will help reduce travel times and hauling expenses, boosting agricultural development in the province and increasing farmer revenue.

“DPWH will continue to support the agricultural sector by implementing significant road projects that will enhance mobility and access to essential services and establishments, and help develop our rural communities,” Bueno said.

Photo from Department of Public Works and Highways

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