Rico

DA to create ‘farm-to-market’ road network

August 6, 2022 Cory Martinez 433 views

THE Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) has mobilized concerned national government agencies to finalize the integration and consolidation of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects toward a national network of FMRs.

DA-BAFE Director Ariodear Rico said that the move aims to seek assistance on data sharing and convergence among national government agencies involved in the regulatory works and implementation of roads.

Rico recently presided over the online meeting on the formulation of a national network of farm-to-market wherein key officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA-PRDP, and NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) were in attendance.

Last June, the DA issued Administrative Order 16 for adopting and implementing the Farm-to-Market Road Development (FMRDP) Strategic Plan 2022-2031.

Rico disclosed that the BAFE commissioned the Don Mariano Marcos State University (DMMSU) to assist in the crafting of the strategic plan, which is a product of consultation with stakeholders over the course of two years.

Rico added that DA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian submitted a copy of the FMRDP Strategic Plan to President and concurrent Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for his perusal.

Before his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos Jr. convened DA’s key officials in a meeting where Rico presented the FMRDP Strategic Plan.

“Gagawa tayo ng national network ng farm-to-market roads upang mas mabilis na mailakbay ng mga magsasaka ang kanilang mga produkto sa mga pamilihan,” Pres. Marcos said in his first SONA.

In response to the President’s directive concerning FMRs, the DA-BAFE has formulated five action plans to finalize a national network of FMRs by August.

The national network of FMRs will be presented at the budget hearing and to the economic managers.

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