CEBU CITY, Cebu, Dec. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 recently turned over the Farm-to-Market Road to the local officials and community members of Dalaguete town. 

The turnover ceremony of 0.940-km sectional concrete access road in Purok Talong and Purok Repolyo of Brgy. Caleriohan was led by DSWD-7 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala.

This project was funded under the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaransa Barangay (KKB) of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) in the municipality of Dalaguete.

KALAHI-CIDSS KKB aims to empower communities through sub-projects that support a diverse livelihood like the farm-to-market roads and cash-for-work program.

The  ceremonial ribbon-cutting in Brgy. Caleriohan marks the completion of the P7.5-million sub-project benefitting 100 household beneficiaries.

Dalaguete Mayor Jeffrey Belciña welcomed the projects’ completion in his town, saying that “there is much to be done in support of our farming communities, but we see this as a welcome development for the people of Dalaguete.”

Dalaguete has 33 barangays and is considered as the "vegetable basket" of Cebu due to its geographical location and unique climate situated atop the highlands.

One of the town’s primary sources of income is the production of vegetables, as it supplies 70 to 80 tons of vegetable products a day to many areas in the province, including those in Cebu City’s markets and supermarkets.

The local government of Dalaguete records a high number of truckloads of vegetables transported to the neighboring towns and cities’ markets.

However, farmers and laborers are also confronted with many challenges, especially the physical transportation of their products along rough roads.

Their many kilos of produce are carried to Mantalongon, the town’s main market, before delivering to various suppliers.

Because of this, many farmers had to endure physical pain to get their hard labor’s compensation.

The KALAHI-CIDSS farm-to-market road benefits not only the farming communities but also the overall development of the town.

KALAHI-CIDSS, in partnership with the local government unit, ensures that farm-to-market roads would provide a seamless and continuous vegetable production and delivery.

"Ang malamposon nga kalihukan sa KALAHI-CIDSS diri sa Caleriohan usa ka testament sa katakos ug pagsalig sa mga tawo sa among komunidad ngadto sa mga programa sa DSWD (The success of KALAHI-CIDSS here in Caleriohan is a testament of the people’s ability and commitment of the community to the programs of DSWD)," said Punong Barangay Elias Jabagat. 

To date, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS has completed a total of 69 sub-projects in Dalaguete, mostly farm-to-market roads, footpaths, and bridges, empowering almost 500 farmers during project implementations. (HFG/PIA7 with reports from DSWD-7)