P126-M infra projects turned over to Western Visayas farmers

MANILA, Philippines -  At least P126 million worth of infrastructure projects have been turned over to agrarian reform communities (ARCs) in Western Visayas.

The projects, made possible through a partnership between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), included farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, bridges and post-harvest facilities.

DAR Undersecretary for foreign assisted projects Herman Ongkiko said yesterday he was expecting a major economic turnaround for ARCs, now that the projects are completed.

Ongkiko said the projects were given in “packages” to ARCs in the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Iloilo.

He said each project complements the needs of farmers.

“The irrigation facility will ensure that farmers harvest crops, the post-harvest facility is where they will store and process their produce and the farm-to-market road will hasten delivery of products.”

More than 3,000 farmers benefited from the projects.

The turnover was led by Ongkiko, JICA project advisor Kumiko Ogawa, agrarian reform infrastructure support project director Ma. Celerina Afable, DAR regional director Gideon Umadhay and local officials.