Road network development boosts Sablan fruit production

October 7, 2019 Provincial

SABLAN, Benguet – Several road network development being implemented by the government through the Department of Public Works and Highways- Cordillera (DPWH-CAR) in the several barangays will boost the productivity capacity of our fruit industry and improved our local economy, according Mayor Manuel Munar Jr.
In a recent interview, Mayor Munar said several road projects are being implemented in barangays Bagong, Balluay and Kamog.
He added that revealed that other infrastructure projects which include farm-to-market roads (FMR) and bridges worth P380 million are set to be implemented in due time. The project is under the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan- Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) Road Development Program.
“We believe road development will boost the productivity capacity of our local economy,” Munar said. He emphasized that roads is seen to improve mobility and productivity, especially our fruit farmers and the community as a whole.
The local executive further stressed that road network will boost tourism and invigorate trade within Cordillera and neighboring provinces which see on the ongoing road network development in various barangays in our town.
“Fruit production by our farmers from different barangays contributes considerably to our economy,” Munar said. Some leading species grown in this town are banana, pineapple, papaya, jack-fruit and lanzones.
Industry observers noted that with the opening of several markets and the so-called ASEAN Common Market, the country’s fruit industry face a big challenge to product a safe product at competitive prices. Local fruit producers are not spared, thus, studies stated, this can only be achieved through of the production and marketing for each fruit species.
In addressing these challenges, Munar vowed to increase its support to local farmers by giving more fruit seedlings and enhance its extension services. To ensure the proper support to local farmers, Munar said that his administration is about to sign an agreement with Benguet State University (BSU) in the field of research and development programs.
Records obtained from the Municipal Agriculture Office showed that an average of P3 million is appropriated annually for agriculture.

Primo Agatep/ABN