DA, LGU set P2.8M agri-tramline in Datal Batong

Agricultural tramline system – Agriculture tramline – Photo shows (from left) Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo and town Councillor Mariano ‘Jun’ Escalada on a test ride onboard the newly installed 800-meter stretched tramline by the Department of Agriculture-12 in Datal Batong, Malungon, Sarangani Province. The P2.8M-worth carrier with a loading capacity of 350-500 kilograms is stretched toward Sitio Blol, where the town's farthest Kiturok village is located at the southern border. Constantino said this new transport system will be of big help to increase the earnings of poor farmers, as it reduces the cost of transportation and post-harvest losses of farm produce caused by rugged roads. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Agri-tramline set for poor farmers – Tramline set for poor upland farmers – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino (5th - L) lead local government officials during the recently held inauguration of the P2.8 million-worth tramline that was installed by the Department of Agriculture-12 in Brgy. Datal Batong, Malungon, Sarangani Province. Also in photo are: (from right) Municipal Councilor Mariano Escalada, Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo (3rd-R), MHO chief Dra. Rafaida Garay-Hernandez, Engr. Rodrigo Palec, Police Station Chief P/Chief Insp. Lorobe Rojo and the mayor’s aide, Almer ‘mic’ Constantino. (Isagani P. Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – The Department of Agriculture has installed a P2.8million-worth tramline here in an aim to lessen the cost of transportation and postharvest loss rate of farmers in the far flung sitios.

Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino said the 800-meter stretched Datal Batong tramline that traverse almost 500 feet deep mountain ridges to sitio Blol, will likewise benefit poor farmers of the neighboring Kiturok Village which is the farthest Blaan-occupied community in the southern border of the said municipality. 

Constantino said the tramline that could carry from 350 to 500 kilograms of farm goods will not only expand the local production of high-valued crops, but will as well help uplift the socio-economic standing of small farmers because of high earnings.

“This fast and safer means of transportation will reduce the cost of transport expenses by almost 25 percent compared to the previous hauling system by means of cattle and horses. Thus, it will be converted into additional income for our poor land tillers to enjoy,” Constantino said.

Serafin ‘Jun’ Ramos, the Provincial Information Officer, said as of today, there are only two agricultural tramlines that are installed in the entire province. One of which is in Kiamba town.

The Rappler.com reported that the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest and Mechanization (Philmech) had been carrying out for the installation of 32 tramline systems nationwide, with the Agriculture Department spending more or less P96million from its 2012 budget for the project.

PhilMech officials said “more tramlines will be constructed up to 2016, apart from those that were completed this year.” Of the 156 more tramlines to be built, 89 of which will be constructed in Luzon while the rest will be distributed in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).