AGOO, La Union, June 23 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), along with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local government unit of Agoo, officially inaugurated the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKPA) in Sta. Monica village here on June 21.
 
The P8,396,417.36 project, which was named as Sta. Monica-Sta. Rita Uni-Bridge, will benefit not only the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of five barangays such as Sta. Monica, Sta. Rita, San Julian Norte, San Vicente Norte, and San Vicente Sur, but all the residents in general.
 
According to DAR in Ilocos regional director Primo Lara, the completion of the TPKPA will greatly help on the transportation of farm produce of the ARBs and the residents, as well as for these beneficiaries to easily transact.
 
“The bridge is especially essential for areas where one barangay has an abundance of raw materials and another has a labor force in need of work. This way, the barangays and its people can support one another,” Lara said.
 
He added, “With this project, people will also have the sense of pride knowing that they are not neglected by the government and will have easy access to basic social services.”
 
It will not only shorten the travel time but will also reduce the transportation cost by around P10 or from P50 to P40.
 
The project construction started on January 21, 2021 and was completed last November 7, 2021.
 
This is the first TPKPA in La Union and the sixth project that had been completed and turned-over in the region.
 
Meanwhile, Lara said that three more bridges are set to be inaugurated which are located in the municipalities of Binmaley, Dasol, and Manaoag in the province of Pangasinan.
 
On the other hand, five TPKPA were earlier launched located in Burgos and Batac City, Ilocos Norte and in the municipalities of Sto. Domingo, Narvacan, and Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur.
 
The Ilocos Region received a total allocation of P75,528,512.71 for the construction of TPKPA. (JCR/AMB/CGRC, PIA La Union)