Marcos: Joint administrative order on farm-to-market roads to be signed before year ends

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Tuesday a joint administrative order for the establishment of farm-to-market roads will be signed this month.

"FMR approved na. Mayroon na tayong national timetable,” Marcos said after his briefing with Department of Agriculture officials.

(The FMR is already approved. We already have a national timetable.)

“Lahat ng agencies that are involved, departments that are involved will be signing… by December, before the end of the year, para ma-approve na ang plano para sa pag-construct ng FMR,” Marcos, who also sits as DA Secretary, added.

(All agencies involved will be signing by December, before the end of the year in order to approve the plan for the construction of the FMRs.)

Marcos said the joint administrative order on farm-to-market roads would establish the guidelines that will make all FMRs interconnected with other infrastructure projects.

This will ensure efficiency in the delivery of services and enhance agricultural programs, according to the President.

The joint administrative order will be among the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry and Tourism.

The Palace said as of October this year, a total of 43,223.17 kilometers is proposed for FMR projects. There is a requirement of 131,410.66 km (110ha/km) of the country to cater to the 14 million hectares of production areas for agriculture and fisheries.

As of October 2022, a total of 67,255.46 FMR were completed, leaving a backlog of 64,155.20 kilometers, the Palace added.

Marcos earlier said the FMR masterplan would serve as a guide for the government in promoting food security and empowering rural communities.

He said the masterplan should include regional maps which will indicate the exact locations of the farm-to-market roads that will be constructed. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News