Alcala pledges P6-M for farm-to-market road in South Cotabato

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has pledged P6 million for the concreting of a farm-to-market road connecting a farming enclave to the public market of Banga town in the province, which he toured this week to inspect local projects of his department.

Alcala, accompanied by Amalia Jayag-Datukan, director of the Department of Agriculture for Region 12, and South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, officiated on Monday the inauguration of the farm-to-market road linking Barangay Cabuling to trading areas in Banga municipality in South Cotabato.

Alcala promised to allocate P6 million for the concreting of the road project.

The agriculture chief was in General Santos City early this week to preside over the DA’s national management committee meeting, according to Datukan.

He also visited selected areas in South Cotabato and Sarangani to inspect projects of DA-12 in the two provinces.

While in General Santos City, Alcala also met with officials of the Alson’s Aquaculture Corporation, which is based in Alabel town in Sarangani.

The private firm is engaged in the propagation of Bangus (milkfish), brackish water prawns, Tilapia, Pompano, Sea Bass, Snappers, and Groupers that are being exported to Metro Manila and abroad.

Alcala had announced during the meeting that a group from the United Arab Emirates will visit the country next month to study the viability of funding inland and marine fishery ventures along with Filipino partners.

Local entrepreneurs have actively been trying to link up with contacts in the Middle East where they intend to sell frozen Bangus.

Hundreds of farmers attended the turn-over of the Cabuling farm-to-market road in Banga.

The road links Cabuling to nearby Barangays Benitez, Barrio 5, and San Jose, all in the town of Banga.

Banga Mayor Albert Palencia, who witnessed the turnover of the road project, said they are grateful to Alcala for committing P6 million more worth of additional assistance for the concreting of the thoroughfare.