ISABELA, Cagayan Valley, July 4 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over a P107.6-million worth of rural infrastructure and farm equipment to improve the economic conditions of farmer-beneficiaries here.

DAR Secretary Brother John Castriciones led the turn over of two (2) bridges to the local government of Isabela.

Brother John said the bridges, worth P50 million each, was constructed under the "Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo" and will provide ease among farmers in transporting their products to the market centers.

The projects include the Bayabo Calaocan bridge in Delfin Albano and the Pongpongan bridge in Jones, Isabela.

Secretary Bro. John Castriciones together with Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III and Jones, Isabela Mayor Leticia Sebastian, cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the Tulay ng Pangulo in Brgy. Pungpongan, Jones, Isabela.

"The bridge will benefit more than 2,000 farmers including those from the neighboring barangays of each bridge", Brother John said.

He further stated that the construction of the bridges is aligned with the DAR's commitment in improving the lives of the farmers.

"Now, the farmers will take little time to go to the market and bring their products, or to the hospital to seek medical attention. It will hasten transport of products to the nearby market, and the people will no longer risk wading in the river's currents because now, they can safely pass over the river using these new bridges," Brother John said.

DAR-Cagayan Valley Regional Director Samuel Solomero said the bridges, constructed in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), used prefabricated materials imported from France.

The 43 motorcycles with sidecars or "kolong-kolong" turned over to various cooperatives in Isabela.

"The DPWH did a tremendous job in making sure that the bridges are well-built and will benefit a lot of farming communities for many generations ahead," Solomero said.

Aside from the bridges, three (3) units solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) worth P3 million was turned over to three cooperatives in Santiago, Ilagan, and Reina Mercedes. Each SPIS will irrigate five hectares of land for the vegetable production of farmers living in the area. The irrigation system was provided under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRSFP).

Solomero said two delivery trucks worth P1.4 million, 43 motorcycles with sidecars worth P2.4 million, and a farm tractor worth P949,000 was also turned over to cooperatives in Isabela. The farm vehicles were provided under the Linking Smallholder Farmers (LinksFarm) and Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for ARBs Project (CLAAP).

"These vehicles will be used by farmers for hauling their harvests and for delivery of their agri-products in market centers," Solomero said.

In his speech, Brother John said "these projects are significant in achieving progress in rural communities. These projects are not only implemented to make life easier for our farmers but also to sustain the development of their communities."  (DAR)

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