TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has officially handed over seven farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P100 million to the municipality of Oras, Eastern Samar, aiming to improve agricultural productivity and ease transport for farmers in remote areas.
The 6.8-kilometer road network, funded through the Agrarian Reform Fund, links geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) from Barangays San Eduardo, Nadacpan, Saurong, Agsam, Iwayan, Minap-os, and Alang-Alang to Cadi-an. The project is expected to benefit more than 10,000 residents, including agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Eastern Samar Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales and DAR Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu led the turnover ceremony, which was formally received by Oras Mayor Roy Ador alongside local farmers.
DAR Regional Director Yu highlighted that the agency’s mandate extends beyond land distribution to include infrastructure support, which helps boost agricultural output. He noted that the FMR projects were implemented through the initiative of House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan.
Mayor Ador expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, noting that the improved roads have already contributed to increased rice production and easier transport of agricultural goods.
Gonzales also announced that an additional P200 million has been allocated for more farm-to-market road projects to expand access to other parts of Oras, emphasizing the continued push for development across Eastern Samar in coordination with Congressman Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan of the 4Ps party-list.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
