Two farm-to-market roads (FMR) were constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) in central Iloilo – one in the town of Leon and the other in Alimodian.
District Engineer Mario G. Soriano said the 1.94-kilometer farm-to-market road in Brgy. Bobon in Leon, in the amount of P17.014 million is a new road opening that connects to Brgy. Manasa in Alimodian.
“The opening of the road was completed at the last quarter of the previous year and this year, we are undertaking the concrete paving of the said road section to provide a better and more comfortable access,” Soriano said.
The said road also provides access to the “7 Cities” composed of seven barangays in the hinterlands of Alimodian, which are known for their cool climate, lush vegetation, thick jungle forest, diverse wildlife and plants, caves, waterfalls and rice terraces.
“Other than connecting the towns of Leon and Alimodian, Bobon-Manasa Road provides access to Bucari Pineridge Mountain Campsite, which is becoming known as one of the famous tourist destinations in the province.” he added.
Likewise, Assistant District Engineer Perla S. Laguardia said the 405.40-meter FMR in Brgy. Cuyad in Alimodian, amounting to P4.972 million, provides better transportation access, helping in the socio-economic development of the people in the area.
“With this farm-to-market road, students of Brgy. Cuyad and its neighboring barangays can go to school at a shorter travel time with the aid of jeepneys and other modes of transportation, compared before where they had to walk in order to reach school. Job seeking especially for young people in the said barangay is also now easier.” Laguardia said.
More farm-to-market roads are going to be implemented by DPWH, Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office in convergence with various Local Government Units (LGUs) in the central part of Iloilo.