DA to start farm-to-market road projects after taking over from DPWH

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it is set to begin implementing farm-to-market road projects after taking over these from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last year.

READ: 2027 budget: P16B for farm-to-market roads insufficient – DA

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the commitment after Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, during a Senate hearing on the DA’s proposed 2027 budget, asked why the DA had yet to utilize the allocated budget for the projects in 2026.

According to Tiu Laurel, the 2026 General Appropriations Act imposed several conditions the DA had to meet before proceeding with the project, specifically setting up several offices and hiring more people.

Tiu Laurel also cited a delay in securing a special allotment release order (SARO), which resulted in the funds being released to the DA only in September and October.

“On a positive note, we’re ready to build now and will finally be able to continue our implementation of farm-to-market roads for 2026,” the agriculture chief said.

“And for 2027, once that is approved by Bicam, we’ll be doing pre-procurement based on the NEP and awards so that we can accelerate its implementation in 2027,” he added.

Tiu Laurel also said P23 billion of the P33 billion allocated for the projects had been released.

Gatchalian asked for assurance that the DA had ensured transparency, which Tiu Laurel said was already in place.

“I’ve actually required our teams in DA to give a monthly report to me on the status of each and every project with pictures, which I will also copy to the committee chair,” the secretary said.

He also said the DA was already working to increase the capacity of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, which will be in charge of constructing the farm-to-market roads.

The cost of construction is projected to reach P15 million per kilometer, given the rising cost of fuel and commodities, according to Tiu Laurel. /mcm