DAR-Ilocos Region Enhances Infrastructure with Over P753 Million in Roads and Bridges
ILOCOS REGION — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Ilocos Region has successfully completed the construction of farm-to-market roads and bridges valued at approximately PHP753 million, significantly improving agricultural infrastructure and access from July 2022 to May 2024.
According to Philippines News Agency, DAR Ilocos Director, these initiatives are in direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bolster support for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). “The completion of these infrastructure projects, including 112 farm-to-market roads and four major bridges, underscores our commitment to enhancing the mobility and productivity of our agrarian communities,” Francisco stated during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum.
The Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (SuRe ARC) project, under which these roads were constructed, has resulted in 61.50 kilometers of new roads, benefiting 17,873 ARBs across 49 communities. This project also included the distribution of agricultural aids such as 473 pieces of farm machinery and equipment and over 2,000 packs of organic fertilizer, among other resources.
In addition to road construction, the region saw the completion of four bridges under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (President’s Bridge for Agrarian Progress) program, extending 126.60 meters and further facilitating transport and trade for 1,928 ARBs in four agrarian reform communities.
Furthermore, the collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration has yielded 11 new irrigation projects costing PHP102.3 million, covering 764 hectares and benefiting 832 ARBs and 11 ARCs in the region. Francisco also highlighted the progress under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, with 4,490 ARBs having their loans condoned, improving their financial stability and land tenure security.
The region’s efforts include the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project, which has distributed 4,159 e-titles covering nearly 5,000 hectares, ensuring individual land ownership for 6,013 ARBs. This initiative is set to continue through 2025.
DAR-Ilocos has also implemented several other projects aimed at improving farm productivity and community well-being, totaling an additional PHP126.2 million in investments. These projects span various areas including climate resilience, hunger prevention, enterprise development, and water and sanitation improvements.
With these comprehensive measures, DAR-Ilocos not only supports the economic development of agrarian reform beneficiaries but also ensures the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural practices in the region.