(Photo courtesy of DPWH Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office)
TACLOBAN CITY – Farmers and residents of two villages in Leyte are now benefiting from faster and safer access to their farms following the completion of a P19.58-million farm-to-market road project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The newly completed 1.742-kilometer road links Barangay Doyog in La Paz and Barangay Burgos in Mayorga, improving year-round connectivity for farming communities that had long struggled with muddy and impassable roads, especially during the rainy season.
Implemented by the DPWH Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office and funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the project involved the concreting of a 1.160-kilometer stretch using a five-meter-wide Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP), the construction of a 582-meter gravel road extension, and the installation of stone masonry protection works to enhance the road’s stability and durability.
The project was undertaken by CNE Construction at a cost of P19.58 million.
Before the road was improved, residents found it difficult to transport agricultural produce to markets because the route became muddy and hazardous during inclement weather.
Ronalyn Suria, a resident of Sitio Banhaway, Barangay Doyog, said the poor condition of the road previously hampered their livelihood.
“Before our road was concreted, traveling to our rice fields was extremely difficult. Transporting our harvest was a major challenge because the road was very muddy. We often could not bring our agricultural products to the market, and many motorcycle drivers refused to travel to our area because of the poor road conditions and the risk of accidents while hauling rice,” she said.
Suria said the completed road has transformed daily life in the community by making travel safer and more efficient.
“Now that we have a concrete road, traveling has become much easier and safer. Transporting our farm products is faster and more efficient, and more motorcycle drivers are willing to serve our community. We are truly grateful to the DPWH for providing this road because it has greatly improved our livelihood and made our daily lives more convenient,” she added.
The DPWH said the project is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve the movement of agricultural products to markets, strengthen connectivity between rural communities, and contribute to the economic development of the area.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
