Almost Php1 billion worth of farm-to-market road (FMR) with bridge subprojects in the Cordillera are set to advance to the bidding stage following their approval under the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up. The three subprojects have a combined cost of Php 999.3 million.
The approved subprojects include the Construction of the Malamtam-Bitabit-Catao FMR with Bridge in Paracelis, Mountain Province; the Improvement of the Gumhang-Binablayan-Wangwang FMR with Bridge in Tinoc, Ifugao; and the Concreting of the Barangay Ngileb-Sitio Mapapi, Little Tadian-Sitio Malalupa, Caragasan FMR with Bridge in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.
DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. formally awarded the No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) and certificates for the three subprojects in a ceremonial awarding held today, September 24, 2025, at the DA central office in Quezon City. The certificates and NOLs were received by Alfonso Lista Mayor Edralin B. Alipio and Vice Mayor Agapito B. Dominguez Jr., Tinoc Mayor Samson C. Benito and Mountain Province Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Provincial and Municipal Project Management and Implementing Units (P/MPMIUs) and DA-CAR Regional Executive Director and Regional Project Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan.
Among the three, the Tinoc FMR is the largest in the North Luzon cluster to date. Spanning 11.65 kilometers and featuring a 34-linear meter bridge, it has an estimated cost of Php 434.5 million. The Alfonso Lista FMR covers 10.58 kilometers and is valued at Php 277.8 million, while the Paracelis FMR, with a span of 9.05 kilometers and a 51.5-linear meter bridge, has a project cost of Php 287 million.
With the issuance of NOL1, preparatory activities will commence, including orientation sessions for the LGUs on the World Bank Harmonized Procurement Guidelines and the drafting of the Implementation Management Agreement (IMA). The IMA will define specific implementation arrangements, covering fund release timelines and liquidation requirements to ensure transparency and accountability in project execution. /** Elvy T. Estacio (RPCO CAR InfoACE)
