By ISAGANI PALMA
MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 24, 2013) – The Department of Agriculture and local government here have installed a P2.8-million tramline in an aim to lessen the cost of transportation and postharvest loss rate of farm produce that are coming from the far-flung villages.
Mayor Reynaldo Constantino said the 800-meter long Datal Batong agricultural tramline which traverses 500 feet above deep mountain ranges to sitio Blol, will also benefit poor farmers of the neighboring Kiturok village which is considered as the farthest Blaan-occupied community in the southern part of municipality.
“The tramline that could carry from 350 to 500 kilograms of farm goods will not only expand the local production of high-value crops but most likely, help modify the socio-economic standing of meager income farmers because of high earnings,” Constantino said.
“From their farm produce that was then transported through cattle and horses, this fast and safer means of transportation will reduce the cost of transport expenses by almost 25 percent. Thus, it will be converted into additional income for our poor land tillers to enjoy,” the mayor added.
Serafin Ramos Jr., provincial information officer, said only two agricultural tramlines are presently installed in Sarangani Province, one of which is in barangay Nalus, Kiamba.
Rappler.com has reported that the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest and Mechanization (Philmech) had been carrying out for the installation of 32 tramline systems nationwide, with the Agriculture Department in Region-12 spending more or less P96 million from its 2012 budget for the project.
On other development, PhilMech officials said “more tramlines will be constructed up to 2016, apart from those that were completed this year.”
Of the 156 more tramlines to be built, 89 will be constructed in Luzon while the rest will be distributed in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. (Isagani Palma/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)
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