The Department of Agriculture (DA) is willing to take over the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) following the discovery of non-existent and overpriced projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) watch.

Responding to the challenge from the Senate Committee on Finance, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said on Friday, Oct. 10, that his agency is prepared to take the lead on FMRs.

“Instinct tells us to steer clear. To play it safe. But this is no time for hesitation… and so, we rise to meet the moment,” said Tiu Laurel.

The potential turnover of FMR projects to the DA is in response to allegations of misuse of public funds in a number of FMR projects managed by the DPWH.

Under the current policy, the DA identifies and validates sites for FMRs, which are then transferred to the DPWH, which oversees the bidding and construction of the projects.

Senator Win Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate’s finance panel, recently flagged overpricing of these projects with estimated losses amounting to over ₱10 billion for the construction of 70,000 kilometers (km) of roads.

Gatchalian challenged the DA to be the lead agency in FMR projects, especially amid the ongoing scandal in the DPWH over anomalous flood control projects.

Amid public outrage over corruption, Tiu Laurel ordered an audit into FMR projects to investigate if these are also mired in corruption.

So far, the DA has confirmed the existence of seven non-existent or “ghost” projects in the province of Davao Occidental, with an estimated loss of ₱105 million. The audit is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

With the DA’s willingness to take charge of FMR projects, Gatchalian expressed confidence that Tiu Laurel’s experience in the private sector would help reduce construction costs.

Gatchalian added that this will facilitate the establishment of accountability within the DA and other involved agencies.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, expects the DA to do a better job in constructing FMRs.

In particular, Pangilinan welcomed the agency’s plan to include a citizen participatory audit in the construction process, noting that it would ensure greater accountability.

Additionally, the DA will collaborate with local government units (LGUs), farmers’ groups, and third-party auditors and surveyors.

“This mandate is too large, too critical, and too prone to misuse to be entrusted to a single agency,” said Tiu Laurel.

The secretary stated that the renewed effort to promote transparency in FMRs is a crucial step in affirming that these projects foster rural development, increase farmers’ incomes, and ensure a steady supply of affordable food.

Under the DA’s proposed budget for 2026, the FMR program has been earmarked ₱16 billion to build 1,067 km of roads.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa recently said that approximately ₱8 billion will be added to the budget following the reallocation of ₱39.4 billion into the DA.

The additional budget comes from the ₱255.5-billion flood control project, which was redirected to the priority programs of other government agencies due to the flood control mess.