IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Feb. 10 (PIA) - Mabuhay municipality here formally received the PhpP139,413,923.25 worth infrastructure projects funded by the Philippine Government thru the Department of Agriculture– Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP)
 
After Five (5) long years in-the-making and waiting, the project was formally turned over to the Municipal Local Gov’t of Mabuhay recently and town folks will now reap and finally enjoy the benefits of having a good, accessible road and concrete bridge in the municipality.

The projects which started on Nov. 4, 2016 and completed on October 8, 2021 include the 7.9km construction and upgrading of Punawan-Sitio Pagaypayan-Siocon farm-to-market road and 28.60 liner meter concreting of bridge.  Close to 500 households are expected to benefit from this development.

80% of the project cost or P125,472,530.84 came from the proceeds of the loan from Work Bank while the Philippine Government thru DA, shared 10% or P13,941,392.32 as counterpart while MLGU Mabuhay shared 10% fund-counterpart or P13,941,392.32 as well.
 
DA 9 Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño said “Today, DA officially turns over this project because the department believes through the Philippine Rural Development Project that the people of Mabuhay deserve development and progress.  This is what DA has given to Mabuhay under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.”
 
“As we started with this project, we faced a lot of struggles – peace, security.  So, we involved the army to continue its implementation till completion,” Cedeño said as he emphasized why he invited officials of the Philippine Army led by 102nd Brigade Commander Leonel Nicolas.
 
The active director informed, the project’s overall benefits and impacts regarding socio-economic, institutional and environmental improvements include reduced travel time by at least 50% from farm-gate to market or trading centers; increase income of farmers by at least 20%-30 % due to decreased hauling and transportation cost of all farm produce.
 

“Reduced transportation and hauling cost from Php50.00 to Php35.00. Reduce post-harvest losses by 5%,” he said. Cedeño added that the target outcome of the project is to be able to cultivate new area of production for rubber with a total area of 80 hectares.
 
Prime commodities served by local farmers in Mabuhay municipality include rubber, coconut, corn, upland rice, banana and other crops & fishpond. (NBE/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)