The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over a farm-to-market road worth P108.7 million last August 14 to residents of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

The project included a 60-meter-long, 9.2-meter-wide concrete bridge worth P34.4 million, which connects the barangays of Kalibuhan and Baluan. It also included a 9.8-kilometer road worth P74.2 million, which connected various sitios.

Abdillah T. Yusuf, an agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) and barangay captain of Kalibuhan, expressed joy with the turn over.

"We no longer have to travel upon muddy, slick and perilous roads just to travel to and from the town; we no longer have to push our way through the dangerous currents of the river just to bring food for our families; we no longer have to worry about the safety of the residents crossing the river, because finally, our dream was realized. Thanks to the DAR," he said.

DAR Regional Director Marion Y. Abella shared the project was implemented in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local government unit of Palimbang under the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (MinSAAD) Project with the goal of alleviating poverty, developing agribusinesses, generating employment, promoting peace and order, as well as improving the quality of life through the provision of rural infrastructure and capacity building in target settlement areas.

The DAR said that MinSAAD is a joint project of the governments of the Philippines and Japan, and is funded under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

It covers 12 settlements in Mindanao spanning seven provinces. These are Lanao Norte, Bukidnon, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Compostela Valley, and Davao del Sur..

Abella credited the government of Palimbang for doing a "tremendous job in making sure that the bridge and FMR is well-built and can benefit the community for many generations ahead."