DAR infra projects boost La Union barangays

MANILA, Philippines - Some 500 farming households from three mountain barangays in La Union are now benefiting from the P32.8-million infrastructure projects of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Ma. Anna Francisco said the infrastructure projects include the 5.4-kilometer Lacong-Lipay farm-to-market road and a potable water supply system, both in Lacong, San Gabriel, La Union.

Francisco stressed that with the completion of the P30-million Lacong-Lipay farm-to-market road project last May, agri-products from barangays Lacong, Lipay Proper and Lipay Sur are now being transported to the market in Bacnotan faster easier.

The completion of the road spurred the establishment of two new schools near the communities: the Lacong Elementary School Annex and the Lipay Barangay High School.

Meanwhile, Romeo Colbengan, chairman of barangay Lipay Proper, said, “Before children would have to go around Lipay and pay for transportation fare that is twice as much. Now, they don’t have to go to the poblacion because of these new schools.”

Aside from the road project, potable water supply system projects in San Gabriel are currently in the pipeline.

The P2.8-million potable water systems will benefit around 144 households and is expected to be operational by the end of last year. The water system was designed to boost the vegetable production of farmers.

“These water systems help our farmers produce vegetables, especially during summer time when there is not much water in the pipelines. This will then add to their income, aside from planting rice and corn,” said Francisco.

The projects are funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented under DAR’s Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Services.