Reduces Travel Time and Cost Salvador Benedicto and Transport People

Reduces Travel Time and Cost Salvador 

Benedicto and Transport People

The Tramline

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala checked the operation of the agricultural tramline system put up by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) in Brgy. Igmaya-an, Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, June 23. The PhilMech’s new tramline was designed to carry a number of people, according to Alcala.

The tramline system worth P3, 390, 771.34 was installed in order to help 400 farmers of Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos City in hauling their farm products such as rice, banana, ginger, corn, vegetables, coconut and livestock in easier and faster way. The said tramline system can travel 625 meters from Brgy. Igmaya-an proper to Sitio Quenabong, Salvador Benedicto and 864 meters from Igmaya-an proper to Sitio Bedio, Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City.

Sec. Alcala said that the tramline project will reduce postharvest losses and hauling cost, thus increasing the income of farmers. Using this two-way bi cable tramline system, farmers will only have to spend 15 minutes instead of three hours to haul their produce down to the nearest access road and to the trading centers.

“The system also helps them maintain the good quality of their products, which in effect enables them to demand good price in the markets,” Alcala said.

Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. thanked Alcala for being the first cabinet secretary to go to Salvador Benedicto. He likewise cited the various agricultural support of the Department of Agriculture to the provincial development. Marañon urged the farmers to raise their income to P1 million hectare annually and to submit project proposals which can be funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project of the department. 

With the newly constructed tramline system, Municipal mayor Jose Max Ortiz said that Salvador Benedicto, which is a fourth class town with average annual income of P3.5 million, will have more developed agricultural production and marketing.

Sec. Alcala requested other line agencies to intensify the conduct of production trainings among farmers such as the Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas. He also proposed for the construction of farm to market road going to the site of the tramline project.

He added that the DA will construct a packing house in the project site to accommodate the produce of upland farmers. He also urged farmers to support the farm mechanization project in order to have better yields and higher income. /MP