P230-M WB-funded Tabuk road to boost development

By Elvy S. Taquio

TABUK CITY – The Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Kalinga provincial government broke ground recently to start the P230-M World Bank-funded farm-to-market road subproject here covering four barangays.

To develop the western part of the city, the rehabilitation of the 10.4-kilometer Bado-Dangwa-Guilayon FMR was approved under the PRDP’s Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD) component.

It is funded by the World Bank, the Government of the Philippines through the DA, and the LGU of Kalinga.

It will benefit around 1,015 households with 5,906 population residing in barangay Bado Dangwa, Guilayon, Nambucayan and Magnao.

“Residents here have endured the muddy earth road for so long and we are very pleased for the approval of this project, the concreting of this road – our road,” said Jonie Malaggan, chairman of barangay Nambucayan.

The DA-CAR, represented by Robert L. Domoguen and staff along with key local officials of Kalinga headed by Governor Jocel C. Baac led the ground breaking ceremony held at the center portion of the FMR (5km from start) in barangay Nambucayan, Tabuk City.

“The concreting of this road has been a long-time dream of our elders – our great grandparents so let us all be thankful for it being a reality today,” said City Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban.

According to the project’s Feasibility Study, the road is muddy and not passable during rainy season making the three barangays inaccessible to motor vehicles.

Provincial Agriculturist and Head of the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Kalinga Domingo A. Bakilan provided an overview of the project, the technical specifications, and project milestones.

“This project is set to be completed in 748 calendar days,” announced Bakilan. He further said that the 20% equity for this project was appropriated by the City Government of Tabuk. In a Joint Venture Agreement, the FMR will be rehabilitated by Omengan Construction Development Corp., and Royal Sea Bees, Inc.

In his message, Domoguen shared how the province of Kalinga shines in their accomplishments and strategies in accomplishing various programs and projects.

“Kalinga shines and showcases not only the best of Kalinga as a place but the best of its people that you continue to demonstrate even in the implementation of PRDP projects,” Domoguen said as he encouraged the LGU officials to sustain their best practices and keep on improving the systems and strategies that makes Kalinga shine.

Gov. Jocel Baac expressed his gratitude to all the technical staff from the province and the region for eagerly complying with all the requirements for the approval of the project. He also thanked the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) which is composed of Regional Directors from various government agencies for unanimously approving all subprojects proposed by Kalinga for PRDP funding.

“I urge every resident and the LGU officials to look after this project until its completion,” said Baac adding that with the presence of good roads, farmers are encouraged to go down and sell their products to the market.