Sallapadan, Abra constructs P10M farm-to-market road projects to link remote areas

Sallapadan, Abra - Two ongoing farm-to-market road (FMR) projects worth P10 million in Sallapadan, Abra, are now being constructed and nearing completion. 

The projects were made possible through the 2024 Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). 

NTF-ELCAC is the national government’s whole-of-nation approach in delivering inclusive peace and development to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the country. 

Of the total fund, P5 million was allocated for the construction of the FMR in Barangay Bazar, Sallapadan, linking the municipal road to the sitios of Lam-awan and Gayaman. The road will be serving over 40 households.

Another P5 million was allocated to the FMR in Barangay Sallapadan-Barrio, aiming to improve farm access and provide a safer route for students. 

As reported by the Philippine Information Agency–Abra, the ongoing civil works were recently inspected by a joint monitoring team composed of officials and engineers from NTF-ELCAC, DILG, the Philippine Army, PNP, NCIP, NICA, and DOLE. 

The team found that the implementation of projects has no major issues, aligns with national standards, and is now over 30% complete. 

Sallapadan Mayor Fernando Semanero Jr., in his interview with a local media, assured full support from the LGU, noting that the projects are major developments and are a big help for the town, which is currently a 4th-class municipality. 

“Malaking bagay po sa amin ang P10 million na pondo, kaya sisiguraduhin nating maayos itong maipatupad. Hindi lang ito kalsada, koneksyon ito edukasyon, kabuhayan, at serbisyo,” the Mayor was quoted saying. 

The said barangays where the projects are being implemented are about 50 kilometers from the capital town of Bangued. Due to mountainous terrain and lack of proper roads, challenging transportation has always been part of the residents’ daily lives; hence, the projects are a big help for them.       

Back in 2021, Sallapadan was among the first recipients of SBDP in Abra. With an initial P20-million project provided to connect Sitio Mabungtot to Barangay Ud-udiao Proper, the current P10-million FMRs are a continuation of the government’s promise to sustain development and reach even the most distant communities.