By Liza Agoot
BAGUIO CITY – Farmers in Banaue, Ifugao, are expected to cut production costs and speed up the transport of heirloom rice and other agricultural products with the planned construction of 11 tramlines worth PHP89.02 million.
The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) approved funding for the 11 tramlines during a recent meeting of its Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB).
“We know that our residents are waiting for this project. We are almost there,” DA-CAR Regional Director and RPAB Chairperson Jennilyn Dawayan said in a message Monday.
Dawayan said the project is awaiting a no-objection letter before the procurement process can proceed.
She commended local government units for advancing their proposals and complying with project requirements.
During his visit to Ifugao on June 26, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. committed to fast-tracking the tramline projects to help farmers transport their produce from farms to the nearest road networks.
The tramlines are expected to reduce reliance on manual hauling, which requires considerable time and effort, allowing farmers to bring their produce to market faster and at lower cost.
Banaue Vice Mayor Kendall Immolia said civil society organizations in the municipality are being organized and will receive training in tramline operations and maintenance, according to a DA-PRDP press release.
“These subprojects will support heirloom rice. It will strengthen our desire to promote Cordillera Heirloom Rice,” DA-PRDP Regional Deputy Director Danilo Daguio said.
Daguio said the RPAB helps guide the DA-PRDP’s regional planning and coordination office in reviewing policies and ensuring their effective implementation.
The tramline project is expected to improve the transport of agricultural products from remote farming communities, helping reduce postharvest handling costs and improve market access. (PNA)
SPEEDY TRANSPORT. Farmers in Banaue, Ifugao, including those in Barangay Battad, are expected to benefit from lower transport costs for agricultural products, including heirloom rice, with the planned construction of 11 tramlines worth PHP89.02 million. The Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project has approved funding for the project.
