Two newly concreted farm-to-market roads were officially turned over to Lamitan City, Basilan on January 23, 2025, providing better access for farmers and residents in the area.
The turnover ceremony was led by MAFAR-BARMM Chief of Staff Arphia T. Ebus, JD, representing Regional Project Coordination Office-BARMM Project Director Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., Lamitan City Mayor Hon. Roderick H. Furigay joined by the City Councilors, Barangay Chairpersons, and community representatives.
In her message, Chief of Staff Ebus encouraged farmers to maximize the benefits of the new roads. “These farm-to-market roads will make it easier for you to bring your produce to the market. I hope this inspires you to grow more and increase your production,” she said.
Funded under the World Bank’s Second Additional Financing with a European Union co-financing grant, the completed projects include the “Concreting of Barangay Lo-ok to Barangay Arco Farm-to-Market Road” amounting to Php49.97 million and the “Concreting of Barangay Bohe Yakan to Sitio Tabo-Tabo, Barangay Bulingan Farm-to-Market Road amounting to Php49,93-M.
The first road spans 2.16 kilometers connecting Barangay Lo-ok to Barangay Arco, with a width of five meters and a thickness of eight inches. It covers an estimated 3,052 hectares of agricultural land and benefits 1,231 households or approximately 5,237 individuals within the Road Influence Area (RIA).
In addition, the second road spans 2.6 kilometers connecting Barangay Bohe Yakan to Sitio Tabo-Tabo in Barangay Bulingan. Previously, the road was a mix of concrete, gravel, and earth, making it impassable during heavy rains when water flooded the carriageway.
The completed road now features a five-meter-wide paved carriageway with 200mm thickness, 1.5-meter-wide shoulders, and one-meter-wide canals on both sides. This improved infrastructure links two key agricultural barangays, significantly enhancing mobility for farmers.
Ebus also emphasized the need for proper maintenance and urged the local government and the community to work together in sustaining these roads through regular monitoring and upkeep.
Hon. Mayor Furigay expressed gratitude for the MAFAR-PRDP new roads project, saying it will greatly benefit the people of Lamitan, especially those in Barangay Lo-ok, Arco, Bohe Yakan, and Bulingan.
With these newly completed farm-to-market roads, farmers in Lamitan City are expected to experience smoother and more efficient transportation of goods, helping them increase agricultural productivity and improve their income.
