LEGAZPI CITY – Over PHP412 million in infrastructure projects under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) will be implemented in four local government units (LGUs) in Bicol to be funded by the World Bank.
In an interview on Tuesday, Lovelle Guarin, DA-Bicol spokesperson, said the projects are in Polangui in Albay, Iriga City and Pili town in Camarines Sur, and Vinzons in Camarines Norte.
"The projects include a farm-to-market road and construction of three abattoirs. Approved by the Bicol Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB), the projects will help in the development of the different provinces, particularly in the agriculture sector and food security. It will start this last quarter of the year and is expected to be completed by 2024," Guarin said.
To be constructed in Polangui is an 8.5-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) worth PHP275 million which is expected to reduce the hauling and transport cost of farm produce by at least 50 percent, reduce postharvest losses in crops, and reduce the travel time of commuters by one hour.
In Iriga City, the upgrading and rehabilitation of its AA abattoir worth PHP54.5 million will help maintain and sustain the required standards set by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to maximize the premium quality of native cattle beef and will provide the consumers with clean, fresh and quality meat in compliance with hygienic slaughtering standards under Republic Act 10611, the Food Safety Act 2013.
Meanwhile, a slaughterhouse worth PHP49.3 million will be built in Pili with the aim of boosting the town's hog production.
The LGU of Vinzons will also see the establishment of a slaughterhouse in Barangay Calangcawan Norte worth PHP33.7 million.
"The funds for the different projects will be disbursed in their respective LGUs. They will handle the implementation of the projects, but we will monitor if they are within the timeframe allotted for the projects," she said. (PNA)
