Residents, including agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of Kapit-Bisig agrarian reform community (ARC) located in Brgy. Calipayan, Sta Ignacia, Tarlac, will now have an easier way to cross the river to transport their agricultural products to the nearest market, with the completion of the P 13,781,372.21-worth of bridge facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), under the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP) project.
DAR Secretary Bernie Cruz led the inauguration and turnover of the said bridge with Tarlac Municipal Mayor Nora Modomo, and other representatives from the local government unit (LGU) of Sta. Ignacia, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and DAR central, regional and provincial offices.
“Aside from providing easier access to farmers, the new bridge will help the residents in availing of various services,” Cruz said.
DAR Central Luzon regional director James Arsenio Ponce said the Calipayan- Cabugbugan bridge links neighboring barangays to the economic mainstream and opens opportunities for the ARBs and other farmers to enhance their agricultural productivity and household income.
“This project is the DAR and other agency’s common goal to help the community overcome their long-standing problem which hinders the transportation of goods to the market and the delivery of public service in the area,” Ponce said.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Jocelyn O. Ramones said the 45.600-meter two-lane bridge being implemented under the TPKP of the DAR, is in partnership with the DPWH and the LGU of Sta. Ignacia.
“The completion of the two-lane bridge project will benefit a total of 12,000 residents and commuters of the two barangays of Calipayan and Cabugbugan, wherein 1,170 are ARBs,” Ramones said.
Calipayan Bridge is among the three (3) bridges constructed in the Municipality of Santa Ignacia, under the TPKP project, which also include the Sapang Bato bridge and the San Sotero bridge already turned-over last year. (DAR)-rir