Introduction Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors globally, particularly in developing countries where it serves as a primary source of livelihood and plays a crucial role in ensuring food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2020), rural infrastructure—such as roads, irrigation systems, bridges, and drainage facilities—is essential for enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing poverty, and improving access to markets for smallholder farmers. Improved infrastructure facilitates the efficient transport of agricultural goods, reduces post-harvest losses, and supports the adoption of modern farming technologies—all of which are fundamental to achieving sustainable agricultural development (World Bank, 2018). In the Philippines, agriculture continues to be a significant contributor to the national economy, providing employment for nearly a quarter of the labor force and sustaining millions of rural households (Philippine Statistics Authority PSA, 2021). Despite its importance, the sector faces persistent challenges such as fragmented landholdings, limited irrigation access, inadequate farm-to-market roads, and vulnerability to climate change. These constraints hinder productivity and limit farmers’ capacity to compete in increasingly integrated markets (Department of Agriculture DA, 2020). To address these challenges, the Philippine government has implemented several infrastructure development initiatives, primarily through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. The DPWH’s strategic investments in farm-to-market roads, bridges, irrigation access roads, and water management systems are designed to improve rural connectivity and support agricultural productivity nationwide (DPWH, 2022).In relation to this, the Joint Administrative Order No 1 Series of 2023, is a landmark policy instrument issued to rationalize and institutionalize the planning, formulation and implementation of the National Network of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) in the Philippines. This issuance is anchored on Republic Act of 1997, which identifies FMRs as critical components in linking agricultural and fisheries production areas to markets, trading posts, landing points, processing centers, and national highways. By improving rural connectivity, FMRs reduce post-harvest losses, minimize transportation costs, and increase profitability for farmers and fisher-folk, thereby contributing to food security and rural development. THe JAO establishes a multi-agency collaboration framework led by the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE). The DA-BAFE is mandated to formulate and periodically update National FMR Master Plan, consolidate and validate proposed road projects, and oversee project monitoring through the Agricultural and Bio stems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS) and the Geo Agri system. This ensures that the road projects are evidence based, demand-driven, and strategically aligned with the national development agenda. Complementing DA’s leadership, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) provide technical expertise in infrastructure planning and road construction. The DPWH contributes road inventory data and ensures that FMRs are constructed in compliance with engineering standards and specifications. According to the agency’s 2022 report, these infrastructure projects have been instrumental in linking remote farming communities to essential services and markets, thereby enabling more efficient input delivery and product distribution. The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and particularly the province of Kalinga, presents a unique landscape for agricultural development due to its mountainous terrain and dispersed farming settlements. Upper Kalinga is characterized by geographic isolation and limited access to essential infrastructure (Cordillera Regional Development Plan, 2020). This has historically restricted farmers’ ability to transport produce, access irrigation water, and adopt modern farming techniques—thereby constraining agricultural productivity in the region (Regional Development Report, 2021). In response, the DPWH has undertaken various infrastructure projects in Upper Kalinga, including the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, irrigation canals, and bridges. These initiatives aim to overcome geographic and infrastructural barriers, reduce transportation time and costs, lower post-harvest losses, and enhance access to agricultural inputs and markets (World Bank, 2018). Furthermore, improved irrigation infrastructure can support crop diversification and increased cropping intensity, contributing to higher farm incomes and better food security for upland communities (FAO, 2020)
Banawag et al. (Thu,) studied this question.