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The rehabilitation of the 4.32 kilometer road traversing three barangays of Luparan, Tagolilong, and Buguis facilitated easy delivery of agricultural produce in the interior part of the town.

The project amounting to P6.33 million was made possible with the equal sharing of the local government of Sulop and the Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP).

The road benefited a total of 2,882 individuals while serving a vast agricultural land producing coconut, mango sugar cane, banana and corn.

“For the longest time, only recently we enjoy higher income and comfortable travel from our barangay to the town proper,” said Tagolilong captain Aurea Dayon.

Dayon recalled that in the past there was frequent occurrence of vehicular accident which she herself experienced many times due to the road’s deplorable condition.

Another problem the farmers faced was the high cost of transportation. Since the road is the only access of farmers to the town proper, they were charged high loading and travelling cost.

“Before motorcycles charge P2.00 per kilo of banana or corn, so when a farmer sells 300 kilos that’s already P600.00 expense (for transportation). But now that the road is improved the maximum charge is only up to P1.00 per kilo, we save 50% more,” Dayon said.

Meanwhile, farmers were also obliged to sell their farm products at very low price when traders buy their produce at farm gate.

Since the road was in very bad condition oftentimes farm produce were subjected to heavy damage while in transit.

On the other hand, parents were also forced to put their children in boarding houses since it was risky for them to come home every afternoon especially when it rains.

“One day of rain would be a week of difficult and perilous travel of the residents here. So when it’s very necessary to go to town like selling our produce we don’t have a choice but to face the risk,” Dayon said.

“Travel time before was about four hours, that would include two hours walking and another two hours riding the habal-habal or skylab. Today, within 25 minutes we are already at town proper,” Dayon added.

With the better road many farmers and the LGU are now seeing the possibility of expanding their agricultural production.

Mayor Jose Simmy Sagarino said people are now more enthusiastic in their production as seen in the increase of selling and buying during their market day.

“Improving road access especially in agri-production areas is among the top priority of my administration. And we are thankful that we were able to realize that with the 50% percent counterpart of DA-MRDP,” Mayor Sagarino said.

At present, 99 hectares of land planted to mango have the potential to be expanded to another 168 hectares; while the existing 595.8 hectares planted to coconut can be expanded to 100 hectares more.

Sugarcane plantation covers 307.33 hectares is now projected to be expanded 5 hectares more per year in 10 years. Banana plantation makes up 31.8 hectares which can be expanded to another 118 hectares in 10 years time.

Other livelihoods that can flourish are the livestock production and bamboo furniture making. # # #(Sherwin B. Manual/DA-MRDP)

PIX caption:
BETTER ROAD. The rehabilitated road in Sulop, Davao del Sur provides farmers fast and easy access in bringing their farm produce to the market.

For more information, please refer to:

NOEL PROVIDO

Head, Information Advocacy Communication

and Education Unit, MRDP

Cel No.: 0916-2318917 

 

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