By HENRY EMPEÑO | July 2, 2026

MASINLOC, Zambales — Six farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects spanning more than 66 kilometers and worth more than P2 billion have now cleared the initial hurdles for implementation after the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued the first “No Objection Letters” (NOL1s) to kickstart the projects.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. officially awarded the NOL1s on Monday, June 29, to local government officials of six areas where the FMRs are to be built under the agency’s flagship Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Tiu Laurel stressed that awarding the NOL1 will kickstart the implementation of these vital rural infrastructure projects that are designed to jumpstart economic growth in rural areas.

The next step would be the bidding process for the projects, followed by a second “no objection letter” (NOL2) to the awarding of contract to the winning bidder, and finally, the notice to proceed and actual physical implementation of the project.

The biggest subproject that received the DA’s NOL1 is the P727.19-million Baloganon–Sitio Coto, Taltal FMR in this town. At 26 kilometers and including the construction of 11 bridges, the Masinloc FMR is said to be the longest in the PRDP Scale-Up’s portfolio of rural infrastructures.

Masinloc Mayor Hazel Lim received the NOL1 for the project from Sec. Tiu Laurel, along with Vice Mayor Arsenia Lim.

The other approved DA-PRDP projects are: Concreting of Merit–Concepcion, Victoria–Ma. Concepcion–Happy Valley–Bugtong na Tuog, Socorro FMR with bridge worth P407.46 million. The NOL1 was accepted by Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito A. Dolor;

Concreting of Matagangtang to Manlut-od FMR with bridge, P157.89 million; received by Placer, Masbate Mayor Eusebio P. Dumoran, Jr.; Improvement/concreting of Brgy. Buenavista–Brgy. Matalud FMR with bridge, P306.94 million; received by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tee Tan-delos Santos;

Rehabilitation/concreting of Sumalsag–Comocomo–Mindagat–Lumbatan FMR, P326.43 million; accepted by Malitbog, Bukidnon Mayor Gary D. Casiño; and Concreting of Katipunan–Malinan FMR, P138.51 million; received by Kidapawan City, North Cotabato Mayor Jose Paolo M. Evangelista.

The approved FMRs will further expand existing road networks to enhance accessibility, mobility, and connectivity in rural areas, the DA said.

The 26.2-km Masinloc FMR, for one, will improve access to 390 hectares of agricultural land planted to mango, as well as 30 hectares for rice production.

The PRDP is a six-year, World Bank-funded national project undertaken by the DA to develop a modern, climate-smart, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.

The current PRDP Scale-Up program, with 148 subprojects and some P24 billion in funding, was introduced in 2023 to expand on the success of the original PRDP set in 2013-2023.

Meanwhile, following the approval of the Masinloc FMR subproject, Mayor Lim warned land speculators here to leave agricultural lands alone.

“We will not tolerate any construction on agricultural lands,” Lim said in a social media post. “Land meant for agriculture should not be used for (residential or commercial purposes) without proper conversion. It has to undergo the right process.”

Lim also reiterated that the Masinloc LGU strictly requires zoning, building, and occupancy before any land development could be approved in order to protect the agriculture sector. ▲

COVER PHOTO: Masinloc Mayor Hazel Lim (right) receives the No Objection Letter for the P727-million Masinloc FMR subproject from Sec. Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. (2nd right) on Monday, June 29. (DA photo)