TARLAC CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed concreting the two-lane Barangay San Bartolome Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Concepcion, Tarlac.
The P9.99-million project supports farmers in large-scale rice and crop cultivation, bolsters agricultural productivity, and drives economic growth in the community.
DPWH Tarlac 2nd District Engineer Edward Ricardo Ramos emphasized that the 560-meter rural road now ensures all-weather accessibility. This improvement enables safer travel for farmers, enhances the efficiency of transporting goods to markets, reduces spoilage, and increases profitability.
Barangay Captain Orlando Santos Jr. recalled that before the road’s completion, the unpaved road became impassable during the rainy season, causing significant challenges for farmers and residents in transporting fertilizers and goods due to persistent mud and water.
“Nagtiyatiyaga na lang silang pumunta doon, pinapasan na lang nila at pinapahila sa kalabaw. Mabilis na po ngayon, lalo na sa pagdadala ng abono, pagkarga, ng mga kagamitan sa pagsasaka, hindi kagaya noon, doon pa lang pagdadala ng abono, sobrang hirap na, kaya ngayon napabilis na dahil sa pagkakagawa nito (They just endured going there, carrying loads or having them pulled by a carabao. Now, everything is much faster, especially when it comes to transporting fertilizers and carrying farming tools. Unlike before, even just bringing fertilizers was already very difficult. But now, it’s much faster because of this development),” Santos said.
He also added that the newly completed FMR will benefit the community, particularly the local farmers.
The DPWH implemented the project under the 2024 General Appropriations Act through its convergence program with the Department of Agrarian Reform. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)