BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) - - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently turned-over infrastructure projects for upland farmers in this province.

These projects, funded by JICA with P107 million and implemented by the DENR are the 4.1-kilometer access road in Sitio Lacong – Centro Babadi, 56-meter hanging bridge in Brgy. Pingkian both in Kayapa town  and the 7.4-kilometer access road in Brgy. Pallas in Bambang town.

DENR Regional Director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the projects were constructed under the Forestland Management Project (FMP), a 10-year watershed rehabilitation project implemented by the DENR and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency under a loan agreement.

She said the projects will promote the maintenance of over 2,600 hectares agroforestry and reforestation sites developed by people’s organizations (POs) in the two towns.

“These facilities will help upland farmers gain higher income because these will ease the transport of their products to the marketplace,” Bambalan said.

A tripartite Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) designed for the maintenance of the FMP site development areas by Bambalan and Mayors Pepito Balgos and Elizabeth Balasya of Bambang and Kayapa respectively. (MDCT/BME/PIA 2 Nueva Vizcaya)