In a significant development for Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, a newly constructed 4.7-km farm-to-market road (FMR) was officially turned over to the local communities on February 7, 2025. The PHP59-million project, funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project, aims to connect the barangays of San Isidro, Burac, and Marcelina directly to the province’s market centers, promising to enhance the livelihoods of 2,872 rubber farmers in the area.
The completion of the Bucac-Marcelina FMR was celebrated by local leaders who see it as a beacon of progress and hope. Barangay Captain Therese Baslan of San Isidro highlighted the road’s importance in facilitating the transport of rubber products to markets, thereby directly benefiting the farmers. Similarly, Marcelina’s village chief, Niño Cagampang, expressed optimism about the new opportunities the road would bring, eliminating previous transportation challenges faced by the community.
The project, executed by the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13), was lauded for its collaborative effort involving local government units, the World Bank, and the European Union. DA-13 Executive Director Arlan Mangelen emphasized the department’s commitment to regional food security and the importance of working with stakeholders to achieve these goals.
The new FMR is not just a road but a lifeline that is expected to significantly boost the local economy by improving market access and reducing travel difficulties for the residents of Bayugan City.