Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. inspected a questionable farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Barangay Lower Binogsacan, raising concerns that the project may not exist at its approved location.
The 1-kilometer road, intended to help farmers transport goods, was found during an earlier audit to have not been built where originally planned. Auditors were told the project had been moved in 2021 due to right-of-way and environmental issues.
However, when inspectors were shown the supposed new site, they found a road marked as a 2019 project, creating confusion over the timeline and authenticity of the project.
Separately, another FMR project in Camarines Sur was flagged for possible overpricing. The road, measuring just over 100 meters in total, reportedly cost ₱14.6 million.
The Department of Agriculture is now conducting a deeper investigation, reviewing documents, funding, and coordination with agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Officials say the probe aims to identify those responsible and prevent similar issues in future infrastructure projects.
