The DSWD, through its Field Office IV-A, turned over the farm-to-market road subproject in Brgy. Boot, Tanauan City, Batangas to its residents last February 5, 2025. This subproject was constructed by the community residents of the said barangay under the DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

The 576 meter farm-to-market road, amounting to PhP 9.98 million, includes a line canal (260 linear meters), box culvert, and slope protection.

According to Antonio Burgos, the chairperson of the barangay development  technical working group, who managed the implementation of the said road, the subproject will benefit at least 500 households in their barangay alone. He added that farmers in their community will save at least PhP 300 in transporting their farm products to the market.

“Maganda at tuwang-tuwa po kaming mga residente sa project na ito dahil ito’y malaking tulong sa amin pati na rin sa mga estudyante dito at karatig na barangay. Mas magaan na po ang pagbiyahe namin papunta at pabalik ng bayan at ang pagbababa ng mga produktong gulay, niyog, at saging,” Burgos relayed.

The Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the programs of the DSWD that empowers communities in contributing to local development through identification and construction of projects that address their most pressing needs. [with reports from NPRoblesJr]