The Department of Agriculture (DA) has agreed to take over the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs), a responsibility previously handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This develops after mounting concerns over alleged corruption and inefficiencies in the DPWH-managed FMR program.
During a Senate Committee on Finance hearing for the DA’s proposed 2026 budget, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. affirmed the agency’s readiness to oversee these critical infrastructure projects aimed at boosting rural development, supporting farmers’ incomes, and ensuring affordable food supplies.
Secretary Laurel acknowledged the challenge issued by the Senate, highlighting the need to address past issues of misused public funds in FMR projects.
Senator Win Gatchalian, who flagged overpricing concerns totaling up to P10 billion in DPWH FMR projects, praised the DA’s decision. He expressed confidence that Secretary Laurel’s private sector experience could reduce costs and improve transparency. Gatchalian also emphasized that this shift would allow for better accountability across involved agencies.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, welcomed the DA’s commitment, particularly its plan to include citizen participatory audits for greater transparency. He stressed the importance of ensuring every peso allocated is spent efficiently and effectively.
Secretary Laurel said the DA will collaborate with local governments, farmers’ groups, and third-party auditors to ensure transparency and accountability in the project’s execution. “For the nation, we will not back down from the challenge of our time,” he said.
This new direction marks a significant change in the management of agricultural infrastructure, with hopes that it will bring the much-needed roads directly to the farmers.
