Farmers have demanded a congressional probe into the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed ₱16-billion budget for Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) in 2026.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) warned that corruption could worsen a massive backlog worth ₱300 billion.
The group said the shortfall of 36,000 kilometers of unbuilt roads may never be finished if funds are lost to anomalies.
“Kahit habang buhay pa, hindi matatapos ang backlog sa FMRs kung nauuwi sa korapsyon ang pondo, tulad ng nangyari sa mga flood control projects,” the group warned.
Based on DA’s own estimates, each kilometer of FMR costs around ₱15 million. “DA admits that ‘Farm-to-Market Roads are supposed to be lifelines for farmers. However, they risk becoming Farm-to-Pocket Roads due to collusion and corruption of agencies, government officials and contractors,’” KMP stressed.
As of August, verified but unfunded FMR proposals already amounted to ₱286.54 billion, or more than 20,000 kilometers of unbuilt farm roads. Region 11 posted the biggest gap with over 7,000 kilometers worth ₱65.5 billion, followed by Region 2 with 2,707 kilometers worth ₱36.5 billion.
“Taun-taun pinopondohan ng bilyon-bilyon pero hindi natatapos, saan napupunta ang pera? Kailangan malaman at maungkat din kung magkano ang SOPs at kickbacks sa Farm-to-Market Roads. Hindi dapat makaligtas ang contractors at mga pulitikong nakikinabang dito,” KMP said.
The group also questioned what it called politically skewed allocations. For 2026, Ilocos Norte will corner 30 percent of Region 1’s ₱1.1-billion FMR budget, while Leyte will receive over ₱300 million out of Region 8’s ₱915-million share.
“The government must explain how priorities are being set. Why are political strongholds favored over areas where farmers most urgently need roads?” KMP asked.
DA Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel has acknowledged that poor logistics remain a major problem. Between 12.7 to 15 percent of local rice output—around 450,000 metric tons—and 30 percent of vegetables are lost annually due to the lack of proper farm roads.
“Kung sinasabi ng DA na FMRs ang gulugod ng food security at susi sa pagbaba ng presyo ng pagkain, bakit nila hinahayaan na magpatuloy ang sistema ng korapsyon at kapabayaan?” KMP said.
The farmers’ group said deliberations on the DA’s 2026 budget must disclose the real status of the National FMR Network Plan 2023–2028.
They asked how many kilometers have been completed, how many projects inspected, and whether “ghost roads” exist—similar to anomalies exposed in flood control projects.
“Every year that the government fails to close this gap on FMRs means more wasted harvests, higher food prices, and deeper poverty in the countryside. Bawat piso para sa FMR dapat napupunta sa kalsada para sa mga magsasaka—hindi sa bulsa ng pulitiko at kontraktor,” KMP declared.
