The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up oversight of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects to make sure public funds lead to real, long-lasting benefits for farmers and fisherfolk—lower costs, better incomes, and stronger rural development.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the return of the FMR program to the DA signals a renewed push for accountability and transparency. He stressed that the goal is to ensure roads are properly built and truly serve farming and fishing communities.
The DA has assigned the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) to lead FMR implementation nationwide. Centralizing the work under one office is meant to enforce consistent engineering standards, especially in key agricultural areas where road quality affects farm incomes, transport costs, and access to markets.
To strengthen public oversight, BAFE launched FMR Watch, an online monitoring portal that allows the public to track FMR projects from planning to completion. The platform combines budget data, construction updates, geotagged photos, maps, and citizen feedback.
From 2021 to 2025, FMR Watch recorded 4,810 projects worth P76.52 billion, covering nearly 2,400 kilometers of roads nationwide. Of these, 3,135 projects have been completed. DA regional offices manage day-to-day coordination and act on public concerns raised through the portal, usually within three days.
Tiu Laurel described FMR Watch as a practical tool for transparency, giving farmers, local governments, and citizens a clear view of where roads are being built and whether they meet standards.
The move comes as the 2026 national budget allocates P33 billion for FMR projects, funding more than 2,300 kilometers of new roads. The DA said these roads are key to cutting production and transport costs, improving farm incomes, lowering food prices, and supporting long-term food security.
The DA also hopes the platform will help rebuild public trust by showing that government funds are producing real infrastructure that benefits both producers and consumers.
