The municipalities of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, and Tβboli, South Cotabato, have successfully secured approval and funding for vital infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing local accessibility and supporting rural development during the 1st Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) Meeting held in Koronadal City on June 30, 2025. A total of Php361.5 million was allocated for the concreting of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) in both municipalities.
Conducted by the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) XII, the RPAB meet was presided over by Deputy Project Director and RPAB Chair Engr. Abraham Onotan, attended by Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Florante M. Racosas and representatives from several regional agencies, including the Regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The municipality of Bagumbayan proposed the concreting of the 6.30 km Sitio Kipuso-Janiuay FMR, which has been allocated Php142.6 million for the project. Meanwhile, Tβboli presented a proposal for the 8.717 km Maan-Datal Tablo FMR, which was awarded Php218.9 million in funding.
Both projects fall under the DA-PRDPβs Scale-Up Initiative, which is designed to spur socio-economic growth in rural areas. By improving key transportation routes, the projects aim to significantly reduce travel time, enhance market access, and improve the overall quality of life for farmers and residents in these communities. The improved road networks will also support increased agricultural productivity, benefiting the key commodities in each municipality. (Ian Frederick Carbonell)
