October 30, 2025 | 12:00am
Starting 2026
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will assume responsibility for developing farm-to-market roads or FMRs starting next year, taking over from the Department of Public Works and Highways following the corruption scandal that has prompted probes into DPWH infrastructure projects.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon met a day earlier to review past FMR audits and map out the transition, including a catch-up plan to finish pending 2025 projects before the turnover.
“These roads are badly needed by our farmers and fisherfolk. They will ease livelihoods, lower production costs and give farmers more time with their families,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
Dizon said about 1,000 kilometers of FMRs are targeted for completion in 2025, adding that both agencies are looking at “outside-the-box” ways to fast-track delivery.
“Local government units will be engaged, similar to our approach with classrooms,” he said.
The transfer follows President Marcos’ directive to streamline infrastructure delivery and ensure that projects are completed swiftly and at the right cost.
The DA said the catch-up plan for 2025 would also serve as the blueprint for how it will manage FMR development once it fully takes over in 2026.
At a recent Senate hearing, Tiu Laurel said the department is studying new construction technologies that could cut costs significantly.
He noted that the country still faces a backlog of around 60,000 kilometers, equivalent to six decades of work at the current pace.
The DA said it also plans to work with local governments and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Army Corps of Engineers, to speed up FMR construction in remote and conflict-affected areas.
Dizon said audits of past FMR projects have flagged several segments that may warrant further investigation.
Of the nearly 1,000 kilometers inspected by the DA out of over 4,000 kilometers built in recent years, a few were found to have irregularities that could lead to complaints filed before the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission on Infrastructure.
“These are small stretches, but accountability must still be enforced,” Dizon said.
The DPWH is currently facing investigation over alleged widespread corruption in its infrastructure programs, particularly flood control projects worth as much as P1 trillion.