LLORENTE, Eastern Samar (PIA) — Farmers are now experiencing faster delivery of their agricultural products with the completion of the 399-meter farm-to-market road (FMR) at Sitio Kapatagan, Barangay Antipolo, in this town.

The Department of Public Works and Highways - Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH-ESDEO) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have completed the two-lane concrete road with a contract amount of P12,935,000 funded under DA FMR 2023.

Edgardo Grafel, a resident farmer of Barangay Antipolo, is grateful to the government for the positive changes the FMR project brought to theirarea, particularly to the farmers.

"Han una kay waray pa man kalsada dida hiton nga Sitio Kapatagan, makuri an panara han mga produkto. Urog na adton mga humay nga gindadara nganhi han amon barangay pati ngadto han poblacion makuri kay nagsusuhol ngan mahal an pag-aaro han mga nagho-haul," he said.

(Before, because there was no road yet in Sitio Kapatagan, it was difficult to transport products. Especially with the rice being brought from our barangay to the town center, it was difficult because of the high costs and expenses of hauling.)

Grafel added that the project's completion has not only eased transportation for the residents but has also improved the overall quality of life in the area.

"Maupay na iton mga kamutangan hit parag-uma didto ha kapatagan kay dara nga mayda na kalsada, nadederitso na hit mga sasakyan ngadto ngan yadto na it mga produkto dadad-a hiton ligid hit kalsada harani na iton pagdara ngan diri na madalunot iton dalan,” said Grafel.

(The situation in Sitio Kapatagan has improved since the road has been paved. Vehicles can now easily reach the area, and farm products can be transported more efficiently. The road is no longer slippery, making travel safer for people and vehicles.)

The completion of the project has brought great relief not only to the residents of Sitio Kapatagan but also to the residents in nearby areas who were previously facing difficulties in transporting their farm products due to the lack of a proper road.

DPWH ESDEO District Engineer Domcelio M. Natividad said that the road will provide ease of transportation for the residents, and in a more significant sense, it will significantly contribute to the area's economic growth.

"We are proud to have been a part of this initiative, and we hope that it will continue to benefit the people of Barangay Antipolo and nearby areas for years to come," he said. (VTG, PIA Eastern Samar with reports from DPWH-ESDEO)