A community of around 15,000 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur is set to benefit from a major infrastructure project—a PHP54.5 million farm-to-market road (FMR) that promises to improve access and enhance livelihoods.
The project officially kicked off following the signing of the Implementation Management Agreement (IMA) between the Department of Agriculture in Caraga (DA-13) and the local government of Rosario on Monday.
“This signing marks the start of the process—procurement, bidding, and soon, construction,” said Vernon Jio Viajar of DA-13’s Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP).
Connecting Farms to Markets
At the heart of the project is a 2.7-kilometer road that will make it easier for farmers, especially those in IP communities, to transport their goods. The improved access is expected to cut post-harvest losses and help local produce reach the market more efficiently.
The Manobo tribe, whose ancestral domain (CADT No. 078) covers about 21,000 hectares—60% of Rosario’s land—is the project’s main beneficiary. Around 373 hectares within this area are used for coconut farming, the community’s primary source of income.
Empowering Through Access
“This road is more than infrastructure—it’s support for our way of life,” said Emiliano Pugosa, IP Mandatory Representative of Rosario. “It will open up better opportunities for our farmers and help improve the quality of life in our community.”
Backed by Global and Local Partners
Funded through the World Bank-supported MIADP, the project is part of a wider effort to improve agriculture in Mindanao’s ancestral domains. The IMA also outlines the shared responsibilities of the DA and the local government throughout the project.
DA-13 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen and Rosario Mayor Jose Cuyos Sr. led the signing ceremony, expressing strong support for the project’s success.
