Six infrastructure projects worth PHP536.29 million under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale Up are now under full-scale construction across Eastern Visayas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office reported on Thursday.
Jonas Buhay, DA-PRDP infrastructure component head, said most of the projects involve the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs), which are vital in helping farmers transport their produce to commercial centers, boosting income and livelihood opportunities in rural communities.
Among the major projects are the PHP157.19-million Paa-Imelda Marcos-Tambis FMR in Hilongos, Leyte; the PHP153.82-million Cambaguio to San Andres FMR with bridge in Villareal, Samar; the PHP57.43-million Magsaysay to Somoroy FMR in Bobon, Northern Samar; and the PHP53.84-million Ambao-Amaga FMR in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte.
In addition to these road projects, the DA is also constructing the PHP114.01-million Baybay City Barangay Water System Project in Leyte. This project includes an intake box, a four-unit reservoir, a multimedia filtration system, more than 48 kilometers of pipelines, and over 400 communal tap stands. It is expected to benefit about 2,300 households or more than 8,400 individuals—half of whom are farmers and fisherfolk.
Buhay said that while most projects are expected to be completed in 2025, larger-scale undertakings like those in Villareal and Hilongos are targeted for completion in 2026. He attributed the progress to strong collaboration with local government units and meticulous planning during the approval and implementation phases.
More than 20 PRDP projects have already been completed in Eastern Visayas, each assessed not only for immediate impact but also for long-term social and economic benefits.
“We make sure that every investment is carefully evaluated for its long-term effects on society and the economy. We want the projects to benefit communities for many years to come, in addition to finishing them,” Buhay added.
The PRDP-Scale Up is a flagship program of the Department of Agriculture that aims to improve the country’s food supply chain by enhancing connectivity, mobility, accessibility, availability, and affordability of food. It also seeks to close gaps in commodity value chains through strategic infrastructure and investment support.