POLANGUI, Albay — The Bicol region is set to benefit from a significant PHP412 million investments in agricultural infrastructure, with the implementation of projects across four local government units (LGUs), supported by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and financed by the World Bank.
According to Philippines News Agency, spokesperson for DA-Bicol, during a Tuesday interview, the forthcoming projects will be located in Polangui in Albay, Iriga City and Pili town in Camarines Sur, and Vinzons in Camarines Norte. These initiatives have been endorsed by the Bicol Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) and are slated to commence in the final quarter of the year, with completion targeted for 2024. The projects are expected to make a substantial contribution to agricultural development and food security in the region.
In Polangui, the construction of an 8.5-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) valued at PHP275 million is anticipated to halve the cost of transporting farm produce, diminish postharvest crop losses, and cut commuter travel time by an hour.
Iriga City will undertake the upgrading and rehabilitation of an AA abattoir with a budget of PHP54.5 million to meet the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) standards, which will ensure the delivery of high-quality meat to consumers while adhering to the hygienic slaughtering standards prescribed by the Food Safety Act 2013.
Pili is set to enhance its swine industry with the construction of a PHP49.3 million slaughterhouse, while Vinzons in Camarines Norte will develop a PHP33.7 million abattoir in Barangay Calangcawan Norte.
Guarin noted that the respective LGUs would be responsible for the implementation of these infrastructure projects, with oversight from DA-Bicol to ensure that the developments remain on schedule.