ALFONSO LISTA, IFUGAO– The threat of low productivity among stakeholders who are transporting their produce along the Alwasa Pumphouse-Fishport farm-to-market road (FMR) at Barangay Sto. Domingo has loomed for years, largely due to the lack of funds of the barangay council for its concreting.
Now, another reason could give the project a green light from the national government: double efforts to attain inclusive growth in the rural areas to effectively offset the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.
The prolonged crisis created a major loophole in the implementation of key infrastructure program in the grassroots level, in effect denying Barangay Sto. Domingo timely access to key social services.
Past forward: Four months ago, the Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region of the Department of Agriculture responded to the request for funding of the road project of the barangay council.
Cameron Odsey informed Punong Barangay Jovito Valenzuela that there are five minimum requirements for a farm-to-market road (FMR) as stipulated by the department’s Farm-to-Market Road Development Program. Odsey is the OIC-Regional Executive Director.
Accordingly, the proposed FMR serves a Road Influence Area (RIA) that has significant agricultural potential; there are no Road Right of Way conflicts in the proposed FMR; the proposed road is not a part of any higher road class such as national, provincial, city or municipal road; the proposed FMR has a minimum length of 1.00 kilometer for both flat and rolling terrain and inclined steep areas; and the proposed FMR shall be an existing unpaved rural area.
In his letter to Punong Barangay Valenzuela, the requesting party was also informed that the Sangguniang Barangay Resolution No. 2019-11 shall be validated by the DA’s office in Baguio City. Valenzuela was asked to make the necessary follow-up with engineers Jezhelle Mae Cosme and Marites Pucio, who are both working with Mr. Odsey.
The communication made sure the DA’s positions on the matter were fully amplified and spelled out.
The Sto. Domingo Barangay Council, nevertheless, will have final word on the matter of whether it shall comply with the aforementioned requirements.
Just how these stringent requirements by the DA will affect the approval of the funding request remains to be seen. More importantly, how quick the DA shall respond affirmatively to the request in the event that barangay council has finally complied with the requirements will have a bearing on how infrastructure projects will be completed in these still “abnormal times.”
“A farm-to-market-road is the backbone of the agriculture sector. It has a huge impact in the rural areas. Our farmers and fishermen have sacrificed much for our country. They invested blood, sweat and tears, and in return it is only fitting that we provide them farm-to-market roads,” Valenzuela said.
“The Philippines is fortunate that we have President Rodrigo Duterte and Agriculture Secretary William Dar, who are both true champions for modernizing the farming sector,” he added.
Valenzuela and the other officials of the barangay council said they worked hard to make sure the resolution was passed in time for its implementation to follow at the soonest time.
“We have requested the DA regional office in Baguio City for funding assistance. But because of the COVID-19 problem, we have not yet received an approval. We have to wait. It is essential to have that approval,” Valenzuela told the ZigZag Weekly.
“Secretary Dar, just like President Duterte, is a catalyst for progress. It is for this reason that we are all praying for the full support and assistance of the Department of Agriculture on this matter. We really want to help all those in the agriculture sector to whom we owe a debt of gratitude,” a kagawad pointed out.
For now, it’s all thumbs up for Punong Barangay Valenzuela and all others in the barangay council in terms of realizing this vital project. There is no turning back for all of them. After all, this FMR shall serve the mobility requirements of villagers and aid them in propelling growth and development in the town.
Earlier, Punong Barangay Valenzuela moved decisively to solve the problem by urging members of the barangay council to pass Resolution No. 2019-11. The Sangguniang Barangay unanimously approved it. All told, the village’s farming sector got a much-needed shot in the arm after the barangay council pursued this vital project. The planned farm-to-market-road is helpful in making farmers and fishermen more competitive.
“We’re hopeful that this project will make it easier for farmers and fishermen to transport their produce,” Valenzuela stressed.
Punong Barangay Valenzuela is a passionate official who wants to build a better country by reaching the marginalized sectors. He has been hailed as a leader who puts public service above self.
Aside from FMRs, they need subsidies to boost their incomes thus, achieve inclusiveness. For inclusive growth, agriculture is the only choice.
Concreting and rehabilitation of FMRs in the countryside is a major concern of most barangay governments. However, infrastructure underspending impoverishes those in the agriculture sector.
A boost to infrastructure spending is seen bringing gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to an even higher trajectory thus, creating more jobs and lifting more people out of poverty. There is a potential output benefit in the construction activity. Construction will be an obvious beneficiary although those in the fishery sector stand to gain as well at the end of the day.
There is a call for more initiatives to upgrade Ifugao’s poor infrastructure which remains a serious threat to its economy. Lack of adequate infrastructure is a setback to the province’s growth. A more aggressive infrastructure development program is needed.
Accelerating infrastructure investments in underdeveloped provinces such as Ifugao is the best way of creating vibrant, dynamic and progressive municipalities.
The Philippines historically spent a lower percentage of GDP on infrastructure which averaged from 1980 to 2009 to just about two percent compared to about 5.5 percent among the other ASEAN neighbors of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Infrastructure enhancements will surely benefit the tourism industry and connect poor towns to growth centers and link farms and products to main markets. The economy of Barangay Sto. Domingo, largely dependent on agriculture, is expected to gain. Thus, the national government must not take this envisioned farm-to-market-road lightly, as residents have matured enough to discern its significance in their lives.
Presently, the Duterte administration is pursuing an aggressive infrastructure scheme under the “Build, Build, Build” program which aims to construct a network of roads, bridges, railways and airports to spur economic growth and reduce poverty.
High poverty incidence per family in Ifugao still persists.
Considering that Punong Barangay Valenzuela’s top priority is to curb poverty significantly in the village’s puroks and sitios, the future for farmers and fishermen is bright.
Apart from FMRs, the DA is also focused on providing financial assistance for livelihood programs that have immediate impact on marginalized communities. This will include livestock, high value crops, dairy, fisheries and agro-industry programs, among others.
For what it’s worth though, the call to have this project realized keeps the torch alive for those who want to have economic progress in this part of the country.
The Sto. Domingo Barangay Council could hasten the village’s economic takeoff thus, improving the conditions of the people, if this project is pursued. **By Anthony A. Araos
