The completion of an agricultural tramline in barangay Ekip, Bokod, Benguet is expected to enhance the productivity of the local farmers. It will also reduce travel time and costs of hauling their farm produce.
Funded under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the construction of the Surek-Salat Tramline was completed last March 2020. According to Engr. Franklin Padon of the municipal local government of Bokod, the tramline will be solely used to transport farm inputs and agricultural produce of farmers in the area.
“The completion of the tramline is timely since it was used by the farmers in the area when quarantine restrictions were enforced due to the COVID-19 health crisis,” he added.
Marcos Bangsao, barangay kagawad and a beneficiary of the tramline, expressed his gratitude for the completion of the subproject that was provided to them.
“The pathway down to the farm area is very steep and muddy especially during the rainy season. With the completion of this tramline, we will no longer have to carry heavy loads to and from the nearest access road,” he said.
Bangsao further said that the idle lands or potential areas are expected to be cultivated now that they have a tramline to transport their harvests.
With a project cost of P4.75 million, the 360-meter tramline will benefit around 109 farmers in Ekip. It is expected to serve 21.48 hectares of agricultural land area planted with rice and highland vegetables which are being brought and sold to the market areas within and outside the municipality of Bokod.
Engr. Padon said that the tramline was already turned-over to a farmers’ association in the barangay to man the operation and maintenance of the tramline. A carriage fee will be collected from those who will be transporting their products through the tramline and the proceeds will be used for the labor of the operator, fuel, and maintenance of the tramline.
The Surek-Salat Tramline is the second completed tramline subproject following the Wakal Tramline constructed at barangay Nawal in the same municipality funded under the DA-PRDP in the Cordillera. It is the eighth completed infrastructure subproject turned over in the province of Benguet. DA CAR news release.