THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over P37 million worth of rural infrastructure projects in two towns in the island province of Biliran.
DAR Assistant Regional Director Ismael Aya-ay said the projects were completed early this year and are aimed at helping farmers increase farm production and boost their income.
Aya-ay recently led the turnover of three irrigation projects, a farm-to-market road and a potable water system to the local government of Cabucgayan and Almeria.
The construction and rehabilitation of three irrigation systems in the towns of Cabucgayan and Almeria, he said, will encourage farmers to do business in agriculture.
The constructed irrigation in Barangay Iyusan and the rehabilitation of another in Barangay Jamorawon can service about 102 hectares of rice terraces in the upland villages. Aya-ay said the rehabilitated irrigation system in Cabucgayan can supply water to about 53 hectares of rice fields in Barangay Magbangon and the adjacent Barangay Libertad.
Almeria Mayor Dominador Agajan said during the turnover that this is the first step toward the realization of their town’s vision of becoming the tourism hub and the rice basket of the province.
He said he was particularly “elated” with the road works for the 4.4-kilometer farm-to-market road project turned over by the DAR.
“The road stretching from Pitoguhan of Barangay Jamorawon to Barangay Iyusan, was so nicely concreted. The 2,600 residents are so glad because road accidents in this area will now be avoided,” Agahan said.
Cabucgayan town Mayor Gemma Adobo said the potable water system in Barangay Balaquid would be “a big help in safeguarding the health of the 208 households in our barangay. Like irrigation, the health of this community is also an important factor in rural development.”
DAR Regional Director Sheila Enciso also said an agricultural warehouse in Barangay Balaquid in Cabucgayan would soon be turned over to the agrarian-reform beneficiaries organization to complete the package of support services in the area.
The infrastructure projects were funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project.