Manila City — The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) has conducted its Mid-Year Assessment of the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) for Fiscal Year 2024. The three-day event, spearheaded by Engr. Allan C. Goleng, Interim Chief of the Special Engineering Programs and Projects Division, gathered key stakeholders from the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) and DA-BAFE.
FMRNP Mid-Year Assessment participants from Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) and the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) actively participated in the workshop held at Hotel Lucky Chinatown from July 9 to 12, 2024
DA-BAFE Assistant Director Juana T. Tapel provided a comprehensive overview of the FMRDP during the opening session. She detailed the program’s achievements, set targets, and critical deliverables, while also addressing the various challenges and bottlenecks encountered thus far. This assessment reaffirms DA-BAFE’s dedication to improving rural infrastructure and bolstering the agricultural sector’s growth.
“We will be focusing on discussing our performance, how we can gauge it, our targets, and our deliverables,” Asst. Dir. Tapel stated. “We should also know the challenges, the bottlenecks, and the dispensation of our jobs.”
The FMRDP is a vital initiative designed to enhance the infrastructure linking rural farms to key markets. This effort aims to streamline the transport of agricultural products and uplift the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk across the Philippines. The program’s success is crucial for sustaining the agricultural economy and ensuring food security.
The mid-year assessment also spotlighted the BBM Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program, a project under the Department of Agriculture, that plans to construct approximately 300 modular steel bridges nationwide, representing a total investment of Php 28.0 billion. DA-BAFE serves as the secretariat for the program’s Technical Working Group (TWG).
The mid-year assessment served as a critical checkpoint for evaluating ongoing projects, addressing challenges, and ensuring the program’s objectives are being met efficiently. Representatives from various regional offices and technical staff participated actively in the discussions, which focused on project timelines, resource allocation, and strategies for enhancing stakeholder collaboration.
Participants meticulously reviewed the accomplishments and hurdles encountered in the first half of the year. Key discussions revolved around optimizing project timelines and resource allocation to overcome identified challenges. Looking ahead, DA-BAFE remains committed to addressing the challenges identified during the assessment and implementing necessary measures to ensure the continued success of the FMRDP. The Bureau is dedicated to fostering sustainable development in the agriculture and fisheries sectors through strategic infrastructure improvements and comprehensive program management. ###Ralph Angelo Ongka