• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. reported on Monday that the Provincial Development Council (PDC) has endorsed a proposed P12 billion farm-to-market road program for Negros Occidental during discussions on the province’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2027.
Escalante said the proposal, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, which was deliberated during the PDC meeting on May 22, will be submitted to the Regional Development Council (RDC) for approval and consideration.
According to the mayor, all local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental are included in the proposed farm-to-market road projects, which were identified based on studies conducted by the Department of Agriculture.
“The AIP is the wish list of every LGU, especially the provincial government,” Escalante said, adding that the PDC expressed support and interest in endorsing the road projects to the RDC.
He said the proposed P12-billion budget is intended solely for Negros Occidental and is aimed at improving access roads in agricultural and hinterland communities to boost productivity and rural development.
Escalante also disclosed that the Negros ACE is scheduled to meet on Thursday to pass a resolution supporting the programs of the Department of Agriculture.
He emphasized the importance of farm-to-market roads in modernizing agriculture and maximizing production in remote areas.
“For me, the only way to modernize and maximize agricultural production is if there are good access roads,” Escalante said. “If there is a good road, more technicians and government support services can reach the area. But if roads are bad, people are no longer interested to work there,” he added.
Escalante, who is the president of Negros ACE (Association of Chief Executives) added that improved infrastructure is essential in transforming hinterland communities and strengthening the province’s agricultural sector.*
