Providing the Suyo farmers with safe, fast and cheap means of transporting their agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I led by Regional Technical Director for Operations, Erlinda Manipon turned-over to the municipal government of Suyo the P7.8 million worth of agri-tramline system yesterday at Brgy. Cabugao, Suyo, Ilocos Sur.

Funded under the High-Value Crops Development Program, the project has a total length of 2.4 kilometers that would benefit 40 farmers of Sitio Balansay, Bimmayang and Sao of Barangay Cabugao.

Expected to serve farmers having planted at least 10 hectare of rice areas during rainy season, 8.5 hectare of banana and other fruit trees, as well as 5 hectares of root crops such as ginger, kamote and gabi, the establishment of the tramline agri-system, is expected to decrease by 50% the hauling cost of farmers from the existing P50/sack hauling fee.

Accepting the symbolic key of responsibility is Suyo Mayor Samuel Subagan who manifested his sincerest gratitude to the DA-RFO I management for giving another tramline in the municipality that could definitely help in improving the lives of Suyo farmers.

Mr. Ernesto Daoa, Vice President of the Cabugao P4MP Chapter, Inc. in behalf of Mr. Dionisio Layaoan, the President of the group who were the proponents of the project and the would-be operators of the tramline system, expressed his thanks to the DA-RFO I for giving the tramline project which will definitely help ease farmers’ burden in transporting their produce.

“Napakalaking tulong ang tramline na ito sa aming mga magsasaka na nasa liblib na lugar dahil hindi na kami mahihirapan sa paghahakot ng aming mga produkto papuntang bayan at lalo na, hindi na rin kami mahihirapan sa pagkuha ng mga pangangailangan namin pagbalik dito sa aming lugar,” Mr. Daoa said.

The tramline system project according to RTD Manipon in her message during the turn-over ceremonies is one of the 5 high impact projects of DA under the logistics and transport support.

According to RTD Manipon, the project is usually being put up only in Benguet, Mt. Province and some of the interior municipalities of Region 2, and since Ilocos have also many interior municipalities, this would truly bring comfort to farmers in these areas as far as bringing their produce to the market is concerned.

“We hope that this project will really benefit you all, as you could already sell your products in the market more easily,” RTD Manipon said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Annie Q. Bares, Chief of the Field Operations Division stressed in her message the reduction of 50% in the existing cost of hauling the products before reaching the market as well as the reduction by 40% of harvest losses through the use of the tramline system.

She, however, emphasized to the operators of the project to handle the tramline system with care and should this someday have some defect, the maintenance and repair shall be shouldered by either the Municipal Government of Suyo or the Cabugao and Balangsay P4MP Chapter, Inc.

Reminding on the do’s and don’ts in the operation and maintenance of the tramline system, Mr. Abel Mangasep, DA-RFO I’s Focal Person of Tramline Project cautioned the group that the project must only be used in transporting agricultural products.

“Bawal ang tao. But for emergency purposes, we can use the tramline,” Mr. Mangasep said.

Another guideline in using the tramline system as per instruction of Mr. Mangasep is on the observance of the capacity of the tramline.

“The tram line has a capacity of 350 kilos. Please do not overload and do not overuse,” he explained.

Another important reminder is on the condition of the operator of the system. According to him, the driver or the operator of the tramline must be in good condition and not “drunk” to avoid accidents.

For monitoring purposes, Engr. Febie Zaparita, HVCDP staff also reminded the group of Cabugao and Balangsay P4MP Chapter, Inc. to maintain a logbook that would contain the users of the tramline system including the amount paid by the users and to ensure that the project will be used for its proper purpose.