BRIDGE FOR FARMERS. The PHP7.9-million concrete bridge is expected to bring relief to farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. The project was turned over on Wednesday (Aug. 12, 2020) to a local farmers’ association (inset), witnessed by town officials. (Photo courtesy of DAR-SK)
COTABATO CITY – Farmers in remote communities in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat can now transport their perishable goods to the market without fear of getting carried away by floodwaters during the rainy season.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Sultan Kudarat, headed by Rodolfo T. Alburo, provincial agrarian reform program officer, and DAR 12 (Soccsksargen) Director, engineer Marion Abella, turned over on Wednesday a PHP7.9-million bridge that will connect remote villages to the center of Esperanza town.
The newly built steel bridge with concrete pavement was officially turned over to Esperanza Mayor Charles Frederic Ploteña and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of the Kaunlaran sa Nayong Agraryo - Agrarian Reform Community Cluster in Barangay Villamor, Esperanza.
Alburo said the project, built under the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP) Project, was in response to the farmers’ request to provide them with a durable bridge and easier way to access the nearest market.
“Construction of the 28.8-meter length Villamor I Bridge started last Jan. 6, 2020 and was finished by July 17, 2020,” he said, noting that the materials for the bridge were supplied by the French government through the French construction firm, Matiere SAS.
The bridge will benefit farmers in the area and adjacent farming communities, Alburo said.
The farmers earlier asked the government to build a bridge over the Laguilayan River that can withstand typhoons and flash floods.
“We are glad, really glad, for this project. We can now transport our goods without fear of getting taken away by floods or falling into the river using a makeshift and wooden bridge,” farmer Josephine dela Cerna said.
Abella lauded the local government for coordinating with DAR to ensure the smooth implementation of the TPKP project.
He also recognized the role of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the sturdy and well-built construction of the bridge despite the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
The TPKP project, formerly called the President’s Bridge Program, is a zero-based budgeting approach by the government, funded by France, monitored by DAR, and implemented by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Bridge Management Cluster. (PNA)
