Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya—A major bridge construction project has been completed in this town to provide easy access for upland farmers in transporting their products to the market.
Mayor Arnold Dinungon said farmers in the municipality are upbeat following the completion of the P27-million Tiblac Bridge, which was funded through the national government’s calamity fund.
“The bridge was given priority concern by the national government after the recommendation of our local government, provincial as well as regional development bodies because of its significance to our agricultural potentials,” he said.
With the bridge’s completion, Dinungon said upland farmers of the neighboring towns of Benguet and Ifugao also benefit, as they use the Ambaguio road and bridge as a faster route in transporting their agricultural products.
Dinungon said the new bridge will boost the agricultural potential of the 4th-class municipality through the production of high-value commercial crops such as upland vegetables and coffee.
“Coffee production and processing is now a feasible venture among farmers in our town. In fact, our brewed coffee products are sold outside Ambaguio, that is why we do not have enough our own supply anymore,” he added.
More coffee plantations are being proposed to expand the industry’s production including other vegetable planting sites with corresponding establishment of water and irrigation supply, the mayor said.
Dinungon said these efforts will be done through collaboration and partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Forest Management Program.
“The FMP will open up more opportunities in the development of access roads for our upland farmers,” he added.