The Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has approved the P27.7-billion Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program (FMBDP) of the Department of Agriculture that will be financed through official development assistance from the government of France.
At the Council meeting held in Malacañang, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. presented the FMBDP, which aims to significantly improve rural infrastructure and agricultural logistics through the construction of 300 modular steel panel bridges (MSPB) across the country.
These bridges are strategically located across 52 provinces in 15 regions, prioritizing areas with strong agricultural potential but limited road connectivity. The project is intended to promote more balanced regional development and strengthen the physical link between farming communities and local and regional markets.
“This initiative also seeks to raise the income of farmers and fisherfolk by improving access to markets and ensuring the more efficient and cost-effective movement of goods and services,” said Tiu Laurel.
Of the 1,428 proposed bridge sites submitted by local government units (LGUs), the top 300 were carefully selected based on a rigorous prioritization framework developed by the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE).
“The Department has invested time and effort to ensure that the FMBDP is not just about building infrastructure across 15 regions, but about delivering long-term support to agricultural communities,” Tiu Laurel said.
The program is set for implementation between 2026 and 2029, with construction expected to proceed on schedule. The project involves constructing 300 Farm-to-Market bridges nationwide—4 standard single-lane and 296 extra-wide single-lane—spanning 11,400.9 linear meters. These bridges will enhance connectivity along Farm-to-Market Roads, linking farming communities to economic centers.
“Our farmers and fisherfolk can expect continued oversight of this project to guarantee that timely and appropriate assistance reaches them,” the DA chief added.
Seen as a potentially transformative initiative, the FMBDP aims to address long-standing logistical challenges in rural agriculture and accelerate inclusive economic development across the country.
Of the total project cost, P22.15 billion will come from loans while P5.54 billion will come from the government budget.
