Various infrastructure projects are being readied for farmers in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said.
Aside from farm-to-market roads, DAR said potable water systems and irrigation canal projects will be implemented in the town.
The infrastructure projects have a combined cost of P45.6 million.
The groundbreaking of seven projects was held simultaneously on May 18, 2021.
DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones said the infrastructure projects are expected to boost the income, livelihood and farm productivity of the Tacurong agrarian reform community.
“We provide these support to our agrarian reform beneficiaries [ARBs] to improve their agricultural yields and quality of lives, because the farmers are our frontliners in securing the country’s food supply,” Castriciones said in a news statement.
DAR-Soccsksargen Regional Director Marion Abella said the projects are implemented through the Italian Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Program (IARCDSP).
Specifically, these projects would benefit farmers and residents of Barangays Baras, and Upper Katungal of Tacurong City and other neighboring areas.
Abella, who is also the IARCDSP national coordinator, said that of the seven projects, three are for Barangay Baras, which include the rehabilitation of the 344-meter farm-to-market road with 245-meter slope protection; concreting of 1,578-meter irrigation canal; and the construction of 6 units of potable water system (Level II), all amounting to P21,799,739.06.
“The other projects are for Barangay Upper Katungal, which include rehabilitation of 419-meter farm-to-market road with 245-meter slope protection in Purok Silangan; rehabilitation of 567-meter farm-to-market road with 504-meter slope protection and 203-meter guard rail in the road going to Tacurong National High Schools Annex; rehabilitation of 604-meter farm-to-market road with 244-meter concrete pavement in Purok Mauswagon; and construction of 6 units of potable water system [Level II], with a total cost of P23,833,433.37,” he added.
The IARCDSP is a foreign-assisted project funded by the Italian government and is implemented in selected agrarian reform communities in the provinces of Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in Mindanao.
Tacurong City’s P4MP Farmers’ Association President Sanny Barca said hauling trucks could soon enter their community without difficulty and they could easily transport and sell their products to various markets and trade centers.