By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In an effort to reduce logistic costs and enhance market access for agrarian reform communities (ARCs), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee–Technical Board has approved the P28.243 billion bridge project that will benefit both agrarian reform beneficiaries and consumers.
This was gathered by Maharlika NuMedia on Thursday following the confirmation of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III of NEDA’s approval of “Pang-Agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka” or Project PBBM.
“The DAR has so far identified and validated 354 possible sites for the bridges following close coordination with the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and local government units,” Estrella III said in a statement.
He disclosed that Project PBBM intends to accelerate rural development by building bridges that will boost the productivity and income of at least 350,000 households.
Estrella further said the modular steel bridges will enhance mobility for ARCs, providing better logistics support, increased income opportunities, and better access to social services.
Appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Estrella was the House Deputy Speaker in the previous 18th Congress.
He is now holding the same post held by his grandfather, Conrado F. Estrella Sr., during the administration of PBBM’s late father former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr.
(ai/mnm)