FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD.The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the construction of a farm-to-market road in Barangay San Simon in Dinalupihan town, Bataan province. Another farm-to-market road in Barangay Salian, Abucay town, was recently completed. These projects are under the DPWH-Department of Agriculture convergence program.(Photo courtesy of DPWH Region 3) CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the construction of two farm-to-market roads (FMR) in Bataan province that now enable farmers to easily transport their produce to consumers and markets. The two projects implemented by the Bataan 1st District Engineering Office are under the DPWH-Department of Agriculture (DA) convergence program. District Engineer Erlindo Flores, Jr. said Thursday the newly-completed infrastructures were the 1.09-kilometer farm-to-market road in Barangay San Simon in Dinalupihan town, and the 2.33-kilometer farm-to-market road in Barangay Salian in Abucay town. Flores said the implementation of farm-to-market road projects is among the priority programs of the Marcos administration to boost the country's agricultural sector. "Farm-to-market roads are essential in helping farmers achieve their growth potential. These agricultural infrastructures will allow them to efficiently transport their products to major markets in and outside of Bataan," he said in a statement. Meanwhile, farmers and residents in the agricultural communities and the neighboring areas in Bataan thanked the DPWH for the projects that allow the transport of their agricultural produce easier and faster. Romeo Magsilang, a farmer in Dinalupihan town, said in an interview, that travel time was greatly reduced after the road was concreted, making it easier to bring their harvested crops to markets or directly to buyers. "Hindi na kami nahihirapan sa pagbiyahe ng aming mga produkto dahil maayos na at hindi na maputik (We no longer have difficulty in transporting our products because it is improved and not muddy)," Magsilang said in a text message. Pablo Esteban, a farmer-resident in Abucay, shared the struggles they experienced before the road was paved. "Talagang nahihirapan kaming i-transport ang aming mga produkto dahil maputik lalo na panahon ng tag-ulan (We really were struggling in transporting our products because it was muddy especially during rainy season)," Esteban said. Aside from the improved transport of produce going to the markets, he said they can now also easily access basic services, such as health, in town centers. (PNA) }