AGUSAN DEL SUR — Delegates from Agusan del Sur strengthened their technical knowledge on rural road rehabilitation and maintenance through the Training of Trainers on Labor-Based Technology (LBT) held from September 7 to 11, 2026, at London Beach Resort in Siguel, General Santos City. Organized by the DTI–RAPID Growth Project National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), the five-day training was coordinated by the DTI–Agusan del Sur Provincial Office through the RAPID Growth Project. The activity aimed to build local expertise that can support sustainable rural infrastructure and improve the capacity of local stakeholders involved in farm-to-market road maintenance.
Developing Local Skills for Better Road Maintenance
The Agusan del Sur delegation included Engr. Juvylyn Bitang and Engr. Zeraul Jun Luarez from the Municipal Engineering Office of LGU Sta. Josefa, representatives from LGU Las Nieves, and RAPID Provincial Coordinator Dinah Abapo. They joined Regional Project Coordinator Roland Ignacio, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Karl Lawrence Gonzalez, and other RAPID Growth Project participants during the training. Participants were introduced to labor-based approaches for rural road rehabilitation, maintenance, monitoring, and evaluation. One of the major activities involved the actual inspection of a 500-meter portion of an existing barangay concrete road showing significant road distress. Using prescribed assessment tools, the participants examined the road's condition, recorded their findings, and determined suitable maintenance interventions. The hands-on exercise complemented the technical discussions and gave participants practical experience in assessing road infrastructure. The training also developed their presentation and facilitation skills, preparing them to share LBT practices with local government units, project personnel, and other stakeholders.
Keeping Farm-to-Market Roads Moving
The knowledge acquired during the training is expected to contribute to the maintenance of farm-to-market infrastructure supporting Agusan del Sur's priority value chains, particularly cacao, coffee, coconut, calamansi, and processed fruits and nuts. Reliable farm-to-market roads play an important role in allowing farmers to transport agricultural products efficiently and connect with wider markets. Strengthening local capacity for road maintenance can therefore support the movement of products from farming communities to potential buyers and markets. The RAPID Growth Project, a six-year initiative implemented through a partnership between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Department of Trade and Industry, supports rural enterprise development by addressing infrastructure gaps that can limit farmers' market access. Through capacity-building activities such as the LBT training, DTI–Agusan del Sur continues to connect local stakeholders with technical learning opportunities that support sustainable rural infrastructure and help keep the province's priority agricultural value chains moving.
