FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD CONSTRUCTION LAGS, ONLY 65% DONE IN 5 YEARS

From 2021 to 2025, only 65 percent of the 4,810 farm-to-market road (FMR) projects under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were completed, totaling 3,135 roads covering nearly 2,400 kilometers.

At least 817 projects have not yet started, 34 were deferred, and 677 remain ongoing, with funding continuing through 2025.

The DA plans to launch its FMR Watch transparency platform in February, allowing the public to track project progress, budgets, and provide feedback or complaints.

Completed FMRs have already benefited an estimated 721,500 farmers, saving 7,800 hours in travel and enabling the transport of 240,000 metric tons of produce across 2,400 communities.

The DA also pledged to complete all ongoing projects this year, focusing on building more cost-effective roads at less than the previous P15 million per kilometer budget.

Source: PhilNews24 | January 11, 2026