NAVAL, Biliran -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO) has completed its second phase of construction of farm-market road (FMR) project in Brgy. Mapuyo in Kawayan town going to Sitio Palayan, Brgy. Caucab in Almeria town.

The said project involves the road opening and concreting of 1-kilometer two-lane road with drainage and slope protection structure amounting to P24.2-M.

Before its construction, farmers can hardly transport their agricultural products to the market centers because of the narrow road.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Marwin Escala, a resident in Brgy. Mapuyo expressed his gratitude for the completed project.

“Kaniari kining kalsadaha bisan paghakot sa kopras, kahoy di makarga ug kabaw, tawo ra jud tungod sa kalisud, karon makaya na kuhaon ug sakyanan/habal-habal, kaya na ikarga tungod dako na ang kalsada,” said Escala. (Transporting agricultural products was really a burden because only people can pass, even carabaos cannot pass through. Now that there is this road, it is now very convenient because products can now be transported through motorcycles and other vehicles because the road is already wide).

“Dako kaayu kog pasalamat kay di ra usa katawo muagi dre. Daghan na nalipay ani. Dako kaayu ang gibag-o. Minus na gasto sa hakot sa kopras, P150, karon P80-P100 nala, kay karga na,” Escala said. (I am very much thankful for this road because it has benefitted a lot of people. Many are happy with this project and a lot has changed. From P150 transportation fee, it was reduced to P80-P100 because it can now be carried by vehicles).

In 2016, Biliran DEO has completed the first phase of the project which includes the road opening and concreting of 783-meter two-lane road in Brgy. Mapuyo amounting to P9.8M.

This road project aims to connect Brgy. Mapuyo in Kawayan to Sitio Palayan in Brgy. Caucab, Almeria where abaca and palay are abundant.

District Engineer Ferdinand A. Briones revealed that more or less 4-kilometer road is still needed to be concrete paved in order to connect the two towns. The said project is implemented under its local infrastructure program in convergence with the Department of Agriculture.

The completion of this project will provide a safe, convenient and faster mobility of agricultural products to the nearby towns. (DPWH-BDEO)