In Leganes, Iloilo, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), has constructed a concrete farm-to-market road from Sitio Ubos to Barangay Lapayon proper, enhancing access to rice farms and other agricultural areas.
The project, spearheaded by the DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office and funded by the FY 2023 DA Fund at Php 11.820 million, features a 765-lineal meter, two-lane Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP) road.
District Engineer Mario G. Soriano noted that this concreting adds to the 775-lineal meter road previously completed in Sitio Moda within the same barangay, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient access for the community.
“This two-lane road accelerates the transport of goods from the farms to the town proper and nearby Iloilo City, bolstering national food production, facilitating service access, and generating jobs in transport,” DE Soriano explained.
Additionally, DE Soriano highlighted the improved road network’s role in facilitating the mobility of people and the transportation of farm products to the market.
Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel emphasized the importance of this infrastructure in connecting residents to educational, healthcare, and other services.
“Rural and remote communities often struggle to access basic services. This road is a crucial step in narrowing that gap,” RD Oropel said.
He also mentioned that the road’s route through expansive agricultural lands will significantly benefit crop producers, agricultural product makers, and livestock owners.
The farm-to-market road serves as an indispensable link between rural farmers and economic centers, essential for their livelihood and the country’s food supply. Recognizing its role in promoting agricultural sustainability and economic stability in remote communities, the DPWH remains committed to developing roads that enhance connections to main arteries and ensure easy access to essential services. (DPWH)
