AROUND 275 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) could benefit from the newly completed 3.7-kilometer (km) concrete farm-to-market road in Dumangas, Iloilo, which was formally inaugurated on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. joined Agrarian Reform secretary John Castriciones in the turnover ceremony of the concrete road from Barangay Pulao to Sitio Bulod to Barangay Sulangan in Dumangas.

The project was implemented under the Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP) II funded by the Asian Development Bank.

Half of the total project cost, which is P25.8 million, was shouldered by the Iloilo Provincial Government and the local government of Dumangas.

Acting Mayor Ian Dolutan said the province allotted around P9 million to help the Dumangas local government unit (LGU) meet the project’s equity requirement.

Punong Barangay Antonio Sarroza, Jr. of Barangay Sulangan said the concrete farm-to-market road will not only benefit the residents of barangays Pulao and Sulangan but also those from barangays Pagdugue and Cansilayan.

“Farmers can now easily transport their products to the town proper,” said Sarroza.

He suggested that big trucks especially those carrying quarry materials should not pass by the new road, and instead take alternative routes, so that it will not be easily destroyed.

“Big trucks with heavy loads could destroy our road so they ought to be regulated,” Sarroza noted.

Gov. Defensor, who was born in Dumangas, said he readily agreed that the province will shoulder part of the LGU equity because he believes that the project will help improve the lives of the people especially the farmers.

Defensor noted that he has brought numerous projects to Dumangas ever since he became governor because the town is close to his heart. (PR)