Bulacan: Farmers in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur are set to benefit from improved market access following the turnover of a newly completed farm-to-market road (FMR). The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) announced the completion of the 1-kilometer road in Barangay Balasiao, which cost PHP14.96 million, and was officially handed over on March 26.

According to Philippines News Agency, the project is anticipated to facilitate faster, safer, and more cost-effective transportation of agricultural products for local farmers. In an interview facilitated by DA-11, Barangay Balasiao chairperson Jessi Pandian expressed gratitude to the government, emphasizing the road's significance for residents, particularly those in Purok 1. Pandian pledged community commitment to maintaining the road to ensure its continued service in the future.

DA-11 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga highlighted that the project was financed through the DA's FMR Development Program, aimed at easing the transport of key crops such as sugarcane, banana, coconut, corn, and rice. The road is expected to benefit a community of 85 farmers and fisherfolk, 150 households, 12 agrarian reform beneficiaries, and 18 indigenous people.

Gonzaga also mentioned that the road will not only enable farmers to increase their earnings from harvests but also ensure a consistent supply of food to nearby communities. The project is designed to support daily economic activities, foster cooperation among residents, and sustain the broader needs of the community.

Gonzaga further stated that this initiative is part of a larger effort to improve rural infrastructure throughout the province, with additional FMR projects valued at PHP195 million planned for this year. These projects, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways, aim to reduce transportation and production costs and bolster the agricultural sector in municipalities such as Hagonoy, Sulop, Malalag, and Matanao.