The Department of Public Works and Highways completes the concreting of the two-lane Barangay San Bartolome Farm-to-Market Road in Concepcion, Tarlac. (DPWH)
TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed concreting the two-lane Barangay San Bartolome Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Concepcion, Tarlac.
The P9.99-million project aims to support farmers in large-scale rice and crop cultivation, bolster agricultural productivity, and drive economic growth in the community.
DPWH Tarlac 2nd District Engineer Edward Ricardo Ramos emphasized that the 560-meter rural road ensures all-weather accessibility. This could enhance transportation of goods to markets, reduce spoilage, and increase profitability.
Barangay Captain Orlando Santos Jr. recalled that before the road’s completion, the unpaved road became impassable during the rainy season, causing significant challenges for farmers and residents in transporting fertilizers and goods due to muddy puddles.
“Nagtiyatiyaga na lang silang pumunta doon, pinapasanna lang nila at pinapahila sa kalabaw. Mabilis na po ngayon, lalo na sa pagdadala ng abono, pagkarga, ng mga kagamitan sa pagsasaka, hindi kagaya noon, doon pa lang pagdadala ng abono, sobrang hirap na, kaya ngayon napabilis na dahil sa pagkakagawa nito, Santos said.
(They just endured the difficulty in transporting their products, sometimes carrying the loads, or having them pulled by a carabao. Now, transporting their products or farm inputs and implements is much faster, especially when it comes to transporting fertilizers and carrying farming tools.)
He also added that the newly completed FMR will benefit the community, particularly the local farmers.
The DPWH implemented the project under the 2024 General Appropriations Act through its convergence program with the Department of Agrarian Reform. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
