LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is investigating the implementation of a farm-to-market road project intended to improve market access for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses in an agricultural town in Albay.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday inspected a suspected "ghost" FMR project in Barangay Lower Binogsacan, Guinobatan, Albay, casting fresh scrutiny on a one-kilometer-long, five-meter-wide access road that was supposed to ease farmers' transport woes even before the pandemic.

Initial validation by the DA’s Internal Audit Service in November found that the FMR was not implemented at its approved site.

"Actually, that's what was said earlier, that we are looking for it because apparently it appears that it's 2019, but we are looking for 2021. So far, this is all we have been told, so our main concern is that the FMR that is supposed to be transferred should be here, but it is not here," Tiu Laurel said during the site inspection.

He emphasized the importance of FMRs to farmers and the community, noting that roads directly affect farmers' income by reducing transport costs.

"Well, first of all, let's say those coconut farms—how can they bring their produce down here if there are no roads? Maybe it's P5 per kilo, your fee or charge, but if there is a tricycle there, maybe it's only P2, and the extra P3 will go to the farmers. If the price of fertilizer goes up, if the price of seeds goes up, how much is that? So the benefits are endless, including water, of course, and the convenience in our daily lives," he said.

He added that the DA, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, ensures the implementation of projects promptly and effectively so issues can be resolved immediately.

"We want to see this FMR implemented properly because it is very important to the livelihood and daily lives of our citizens," Laurel said.

Laurel noted that officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division guided auditors to the purported relocation site of the 2021 FMR project. The area bore a road marker labeled "2019 FMR," which typically indicates the year of project completion, raising further questions about the timeline and authenticity.

The DA audit team also inspected an FMR project in Camarines Sur that was observed to be notably overpriced.

Laurel said the department is conducting a deeper investigation, including a review of project documents, funding releases, and coordination with concerned agencies, to determine accountability and prevent similar anomalies.