A total of 769 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Lomon, Kapangan, Benguet, are now reaping the benefits of improved road access and increased economic opportunities following the completion of the P10-million Labueg-Taba-ao Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The 1.267-kilometer road aims to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance market access, allowing farmers to sell their goods more efficiently and at better prices.

Funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund, the FMR project addresses longstanding challenges faced by farmers in the area, particularly the difficulty of transporting their produce from remote mountain farms to local markets.

Before the road’s completion, farmers often faced delayed deliveries and high transportation costs due to the poor condition of existing roads, which led to reduced profit margins and increased post-harvest waste.

In a heartfelt message, ARB Winston Tadpol expressed gratitude for the project, saying, “We would like to thank the DAR for this initiative. It’s great because, as beneficiaries, we can now travel with ease and transport our goods faster, which helps us avoid wastage and get better prices for our produce.”

DAR Project Management Services OIC-director IV Von Mark R. Mendoza underscored the government’s commitment to uplifting agrarian reform communities (ARCs) through infrastructure projects like the Labueg-Taba-ao FMR.

Mendoza emphasized that these initiatives do more than just improve roads — they open doors to better livelihoods, provide opportunities for increased agricultural productivity, and help boost local economies.

“This Farm-to-Market Road is a symbol of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our ARBs. It’s not just about roads; it’s about making sure our farmers have access to markets, better transportation and sustainable growth,” Mendoza said.

Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin also thanked the DAR and the Department of Public Works and Highways for their support in making the project a reality. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between local and national government agencies to bring about development at the grassroots level.

In addition to the road project, DAR-Cordillera Administrative Region (DAR-CAR) Regional director Samuel S. Solomero emphasized other ongoing programs aimed at further supporting ARBs in the region.

One of the key initiatives is Project SPLIT (Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titles), which helps secure land tenure for ARBs. Additionally, the Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities Project, a six-year program, focuses on enhancing rural development, food security and environmental sustainability through various initiatives and training for farmers.