DAR inaugurates P7.8-M bridge in Tarlac

BUILDING BRIDGES Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones (third from left) and Sta. Ignacia Mayor Nora Modomo (fourth from left) led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of the newly-built San Sotero Bridge in Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac on Monday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

STA. IGNACIA, Tarlac: The P7.8 million San Sotero Bridge which the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) had funded under the "Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo" program was inaugurated on Monday.

The 22.8-meter bridge would link to 11 neighboring barangay (villages) to the agrarian reform communities of Kapit-Bisig in Sta Ignacia, Abagatan Ti Ili in Mayantoc and Mababanaba in San Jose, benefiting at least 2,874 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Simultaneous with the opening of the bridge was the distribution of farm machinery and equipment to ARBs in the said areas as well as those from the town of Victoria and Tarlac City.

Adelina Doctor, an ARB, received the title for her 1.7728-hectare land in San Sotero.

The simple turnover ceremony was led by Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones.

Officers of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Communities also took their oath before the secretary.

"Ang inyong pamahalaan ay nakahanda upang maka-agapay sa inyo. Anoman ang inyong pangangailangan ay patulung-tulungan nating magawan ng paraan sa kabila nang maliit nating pondo sa ahensiya (Your government is ready to provide you assistance. We can help each other find ways on whatever you need despite the agency's limited resources)," Castriciones said.

"Hindi po tayo nagpapabaya at laging nasa panig ninyo ang DAR sa tulong ng iba pang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno para sa sama-sama nating pag-unlad (We never neglect and DAR is always on your side with the help of different government agencies toward common progress)," he added.

Local officials, including San Sotero chairman Orlando Tomas and Sta. Ignacia Mayor Nora Modomo, expressed appreciation to the Agriculture department for providing assistance in the area, which they said will be beneficial to the residents, especially the farmers.

Representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways also witnessed the events.

Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/09/29/news/regions/dar-inaugurates-p78-m-bridge-in-tarlac/1816462