Build, Build, Build addresses farmers, workers woes in Zambo during pandemic

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 1 (PIA) – Farmers used to shell out Php50-100 from their potential income in selling palay and fishpond produce in barangay Bolong, here. This is because they had to pay said amount to transport their produce to the highway. 

After the completion of a road project in the area, they would no longer have to spend for transportation. 

Bolong Barangay Captain Ruben Coros said that there is no need for the farmers to spend for the transportation anymore as the road is now reaching their farms and fishpond. 

“It was very difficult before. Our income is not yet in our hands, but we already incur expenses,” said Albert, a local farmer.

“Before, it is a very sad plight that farmers who just earn little from selling palay and fish pond produce would have to spend Php50 to Php100 for transportation,” Coros said.

Under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implemented the Buenavista–Bolong Coastal Road Project. The direct beneficiaries are the farmers themselves. Because of this, the travel time of approximately 4,200 motorists between the two barangays will be reduced significantly from one hour to 15 minutes. 

Coros added that this project is also seen to help barangay officials and law enforcers in maintaining the peace and security in the area. 

“Now, we can use our vehicles to patrol and monitor the situation especially in areas that we couldn’t reach before,” Coros added. 

This road project is just one of those implemented under the Build, Build, Build program of President Duterte.

More road networks in Region 9

The DPWH here reported that other road projects include the Sindangan-Bayog-Lakewood Road, which will connect the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and will ease travel time from 6 hours to 2 hours between the areas. 

Meanwhile, another project is the Siocon-Sirawai-Sibuco-Limpapa Road which will connect the said Zamboanga del Norte municipalities to Zamboanga City. This project is expected to be completed in 2022 and will provide “easy transport of agricultural products and effectivey reduce travel time from 5 hours to 1 hour and 30 minutes”. 

In Zamboanga City’s farthest barangay, Limpapa, Subanen people are thankful for a flood control project. 

Leo Gumandao, a Subanen resident said whenever there would be rains and floods they were always on edge. “It was very difficult. It disrupted our livelihood. We are very thankful for this flood control project,” he said. 

Work during the pandemic

Workers like Rolando Rollan who worked on the Buenavista-Bolong project is grateful for being a part of the construction team. 

“It is pandemic and we know it is very hard to look for jobs and income during pandemic. But because of this project, we have jobs,” Rollan said. He emphasized that the project not only helped him and his family, but the entire community – especially since most of the people here are farmers. 

Rollan is just one of the workers who were able to find jobs in spite of the pandemic. 

DPWH records say that President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program was able to generate 13,557 jobs in Zamboanga Peninsula. 

A total of 1,452 kilometers of road have been accomplished in the region, said Regional Director Cayamombao Dia.  (RVC/EDT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)