PBBM turns over seven roads, farm machines in Central Visayas

DUMAGUETE CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. together with Agrarian Secretary Conrado Estrella III, turned over P17.5 million worth of farm machineries to nine agrarian cooperatives and seven farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P100 million.

“Mechanization, provision of farm equipment, roads, and irrigation are key to productive farming. We give these to all of you today so that you can grow and improve the lands awarded to you today," President Marcos said during the distribution of land titles to 2,426 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of Central Visayas on May 20.

Marcos turned over farm machineries and equipment worth P17.5 million to nine agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) in the region implemented under the Climate-resilient Farm Productivity and Support Program (CRFPSP).

“These farm machines were given to boost the productivity of rice, corn, and coconut farmers of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. These will also make farm work easier and faster,” Marcos said.

The machines provided are tractors, tricycles, floating tillers, grass cutters, food dehydrators, and corn mills.

The President also turned over seven FMRs, constructed and funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund. All are located in Negros Oriental in the municipalities of Amlan, Dauin, Ayungon, Tanjay, Bais City, Tayasan, and Bindoy.

The President said the government has plans to construct more FMRs worth P2.8 billion in Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

“The road projects would help farmers transport their products faster to various markets and trading centers. It will also create more connections between farms, markets, schools, government offices, and nearby towns,” Marcos said.

“Your customers will also expand because your products will reach further. In sum, with this project initiative, it will not only increase the income of farmers but also develop the communities and improve the entire agricultural sector,” Maros added.

The CRFPSP aims to provide agricultural extension services and support to farmers to develop resilience amidst the threats of climate change.

The turnover of farm machines and roads was held on May 20 at the Lamberto Macias Sports