DAR gears up for the construction of P3.5-M road project in Nueva Vizcaya  

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently conducted a dialogue with the local government of Dupax del Norte for the construction of a farm-to-market road (FMR) traversing Malasin (JPR) – Lamo – Ineangan Road.

The road project with a total project cost of PhP 3,547,476.00 is expected to serve 2,650 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) upon its completion. Dupax Del Norte has a great potential in terms of high value crops and organic options.

Through the farm-to-market road, ARBs are expected to have an easier access to various local markets where their products can be made available to more consumers.

The dialogue was attended by the DAR Central Office representatives, Mrs. Melle G. Lamboon and Mr. Henry M. Zapata; Provincial Office representatives, Mrs. Cherry N. Magno and Engr. Alexander Aggasid and the local government unit of Dupax del Norte represented by Engr. Aileen B. Ellamil and Engr. Celso Aguada.

Of the project cost, PhP 3,091,372.00 is funded by the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA), charged under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) Phase III funds while the remaining cost will be shouldered by the municipality of Dupax del Norte. The DAR is the lead agency of the project while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the agency in-charge of the infrastructure component.

The FMR is identified to be the 16th project of DARPO Nueva Vizcaya under the ARISP. Among the fifteen (15) projects granted to the province, three (3) were awarded, completed and turned over to the same municipality, which include  Tacbao-Apayan and Benay-Wangeon communal irrigation systems,, and Bitnong potable water system. (Lizzette Ann Guiuntab)