Samal City, Davao del Norte —The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially turned over an upgraded farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay Tagbitan-ag, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) on March 12, marking the completion of a PHP 29.76 million investment project aimed at bolstering rural economic development in the area.

This project was implemented through the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte, the different local government units, and the Samal Island Agri-Growers and Producers Association (SIAGPA).

The IGACOS LGU provided a counterpart funding for this project and has incorporated the FMR’s operations and maintenance into its 2025 city budget. These efforts will play a crucial role in fostering long-term opportunities and sustainable growth within the community.

The FMR targets to deliver long-term socio-economic benefits, significantly improving transportation efficiency for local farmers and residents. The initiative is projected to cut the travel time by 16 minutes, streamlining access to markets and vital resources.

With a 20% reduction in transportation costs, farmers are expected to save an estimated PHP 1 million to PHP 1.3 million annually. This cost efficiency will directly benefit the agricultural sector, which currently produces an average of 8.7 tons of farm products. Furthermore, the enhancements to SIAGPA’s processing facility will enable it to operate at full capacity. This improvement is expected to boost operational efficiency, drive higher sales, and create greater economic opportunities for its members.

The farm-to-market road project aligns with Secretary Cristina Roque’s strategic vision to propel the economic growth of MSMEs by fostering diversification. This initiative opens up new opportunities for MSMEs to flourish under the Bagong Pilipinas vision of President Marcos Jr. In support of this, Secretary Roque was represented by Regional Operations Group (ROG) Supervising Head Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona at the official turnover ceremony.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Regional Operations Group (ROG) Supervising Head Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona delivering a speech at the official FMR turnover ceremony.

“This Farm-to-Market Road is not just a physical structure; it represents progress, opportunity, and prosperity for the people of Tagbintan-ag and San Antonio. It serves as a bridge to a better future where smallholder farmers no longer struggle to bring their products to market, where entrepreneurs find it easier to do business, and where communities flourish with improved accessibility and mobility,” said Usec. Lantayona.

So far, the RAPID Growth Project benefits 21 provinces across seven regions, focusing on four key agricultural clusters—coffee, cacao, processed fruits and nuts, and coconut—to support smallholder farmers and MSMEs in expanding their market presence. The Tagbintan-ag FMR, a strategic initiative under the Nutrarich Nutraceutical Innovations Supply Chain, is essential in accelerating the growth and fortifying the cacao value chain in Region 11. This project is designed to enhance productivity, optimize logistics, and create more sustainable and economic opportunities for local cacao farmers and stakeholders.

A group of individuals posing for a photo at the official turnover ceremony of the Farm-to-Market Road. DTI-ROG Undersecretary Lantayona stands seventh from the right.

This initiative aims to ultimately uplift the livelihoods of smallholder farming households across the 21 provinces in Regions 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, and BARMM. By fostering economic empowerment and inclusive growth, this will create sustainable income opportunities while strengthening the MSME sector within high-potential commodity value chains.

With projects such as this, RAPID continues to focus on job creation and value chain development to enhance strategic rural economic resilience and unlock new growth pathways for communities and businesses alike. ♦

Date of release: 13 March 2025

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