The Improved Ato-Engan-Lamagan-Atowanan-Mobo Farm to Market Road (FMR) amounting to around Php32M was successfully turned over to the community of Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province on January 14, 2021.
The said FMR implemented by the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Sagada and the Department of Agriculture-Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (DA-INREMP) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the executing agency and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as the financing institution, is the 10th subproject completed out of 21 subprojects under the Rural Infrastructure (RI) component of the INREM Project in the Upper Chico River Basin (UCRB).
The 6 km road now benefits 426 households. Locals from the community can now transport their farm produce and travel the said FMR with ease after the official turnover. Main commodities in the community are coffee, sugar cane, heirloom rice and highland vegetables.
During the ceremony, the Project Manager and DA-RFO-CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey emphasized the need to protect the watersheds which are the sources of life because it benefits the Cordillera and other downstream users. He also added the need to preserve the forests to sustain agriculture so the road may serve its purpose.
In addition, he encouraged the people of Sagada to value these kinds of blessings because looking at the situation nowadays, there is no assurance that the government can still provide many projects and assistance in the next coming years. In closing, Director Odsey challenged them to sustain all the programs and projects of the government they are receiving for the benefit of everybody especially for the future generations.
Further, Sagada Municipal Mayor James B. Pooten Jr. expressed his gratitude to the implementing agencies and the funding agency for making the said FMR possible. “I would like to extend our pasasalamat to our partners and other technical staff in our development for bringing together their resources for the completion of this Ato-Engan-Lamagan-Atowanan-Mobo Road project and of course to our contractor for the timeless efforts they exerted in completing this project. The construction/improvement of FMRs is really the need of every developing community. It is just proper and a must that the Sagada LGU commits and will stay committed for the maintenance of this road making passable at all times. The Sagada LGU will always make sure that all these efforts will not go to waste,” he said.
“Kayat ko ay menpa salamat ken dakayo tay adu-adu nan sinuro me gedan sinan nang ayagan yo kendakami ay umey tako men ag-agong, salasalamat tay baken kedeng nan kalsa nan inted yo nu di ket nan adu ay adal ay inedya yo ken dakami (I would like to thank you not only for this fulfilled FMR but especially for the valuable trainings added to our knowledge)” expressed Barangay Captain Dennis A. Lopez. He expressed his gratitude to the DA and further encouraged the community to support the programs of the government for the welfare and progress of their barangay.
Moreover, Mr. Vincent T. Andawi, a farmer beneficiary and one of the land owner who waived parts of their land for the improvement of the road shared their situation before the road was improved. According to him, during harvest time, farmers usually sleep in their vehicles along the road especially during the rainy season due to slippery road. As a result, farmers incur losses because they cannot deliver their produce on time when the market price is high and that the quality of their produce deteriorates due to the poor road condition.
Thirteen Barangay Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Team (BPMET) members were also recognized for the dedication and commitment in monitoring the project during the implementation stage.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice Mayor Felicito Dula, PENRO Joel Behis, other municipal and barangay officials, a representative from the Benguet Builders, and staff from DA-RFO-CAR. The ceremony was graced by Rev. Constancio Na-oy.**Leny D. Mendoza
