Japan extends P760M for Aurora bridge project

The Japanese government has extended P760 million for the construction of Umiray Bridge in Aurora province under its grant aid program. Umiray Bridge is expected to generate additional income for farmer beneficiaries and ultimately upgrade the socio-economic and environmental conditions in the area. With the completion of the Umiray project, the mobility of agricultural products and commercial goods as well as access between the target agrarian reform communities with other areas would greatly improve, said Japanese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Keizo Takewaka in a statement Tuesday. The 385-meter bridge, which connects General Nakar, Quezon and Dingalan in Aurora, would also directly benefit more than 43,000 local residents in Umiray area and surrounding areas. The Umiray Bridge is a collaborative project of Quezon and Aurora provincial governments, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the towns of Dingalan and General Nakar. Takewaka said Japan supports the development goals of the government's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) as a mechanism to alleviate farmers' struggles by assisting projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure improvement and socio-economic development in rural areas for many decades. — KBK, GMA News