Manila, Sept. 16 -- A PHP40-million farm-to-market road in Barangay Nagsurot, Burgos, Ilocos Norte is now serving its purpose of stimulating economic growth in rural farming communities.

Residents composed of 409 direct agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and 310 indirect ARBs stand to benefit from the 2,230-kilometer completed road, which is expected to significantly improve the transport of agricultural products, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance livelihood.

"We are so thankful to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for always helping us through the implementation of various local and national projects such as this farm-to-market road," Jesus Rodel Pasion, head of the Small Water Irrigation System Association Inc., said in a...