MAASIN CITY -- Construction of four farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in Southern Leyte is expected to be completed in August this year in a bid to provide enhanced links between farms and commercial hubs in the province.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) recently started the construction of the P47.5 million worth of rural road projects with funding source from the Department of Agriculture under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or “Bayanihan 2”.

These projects are located in the villages of Nati to Bato II in Maasin City (P10 million), Tagup-on to Kagingkingan in Anahawan (P12.5 million), Nahulid in Libagon town (P12.5 million), and Esperanza in Bontoc town (P12.5 million).

“Through these projects, we will be able to hasten transportation of farm products to commercial districts and increase agricultural productivity in the province,” said District Engineer Manolo Rojas.

Southern Leyte, with a land area of 1,798 square kilometers, is basically an agricultural province complemented by the economic opportunities in the services sector. The major sources of income in the province are farming and fishing.

“Not only farmers stand to benefit from concreting of road in rural communities, but children and residents who need access to health centers,” Rojas added.

Improvement and construction of FMRs have been tagged as priority of the government to cheapen the price of farm products, make food more available to consumers, and curb high poverty incidence. (DPWH-SLDEO)