By Jaf Ivan Tabamo
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Improved market access and livelihood opportunities are expected for 586 families in Barangay Sulo, Naga, as the government advances a ₱126.5-million farm-to-market road project under the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up, supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to strengthen rural infrastructure and improve services for farming communities.
The project involves the concreting of a 5.18-kilometer road that will provide better connectivity for residents, particularly farmers who rely on accessible roads to transport their agricultural products to buyers and markets.
President Marcos has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast-track farm-to-market road projects while ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and infrastructure is delivered with integrity. The administration has identified farm-to-market roads as vital to improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food supply chains and helping farmers gain better access to markets.
In Barangay Sulo, construction of the road began in May 2025 and has reached more than 53 percent completion. Safety measures are being implemented at the construction site to protect workers and motorists as construction progresses.
Once completed, the road is expected to make the transport of rubber and copra more convenient, helping local producers bring their goods to market. Improved road access may also help address transportation challenges, support local economic activity and strengthen the link between agricultural production and market opportunities.
Beyond farm operations, the improved road is expected to facilitate the delivery of government programs and essential services to the 586 beneficiary families in the community. Better connectivity can help service providers reach residents more efficiently while improving mobility for people and goods.
Through the DA-PRDP Scale-Up, the government continues to invest in rural infrastructure that connects agricultural production areas to markets and supports the development of farming communities. The project in Naga reflects the importance of reliable road networks in advancing the administration’s goals for agricultural development, stronger rural livelihoods and more inclusive economic growth. (JPA/JIT/PIA-Zamboanga Sibugay)
