Senators flag P8.9-B ‘last-minute’ changes in farm-to-market road budget

Senators on Wednesday raised concerns over P8.9 billion worth of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that were allegedly “swapped” two days after the bicameral conference committee (Bicam) had already approved the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed 2026 budget.

On the fourth day of bicam deliberations, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. submitted a letter dated December 15 listing FMR projects that were not included in the version approved by the bicam on December 13.

“After we approved the DA budget that evening… [on] December 13, the bicam approved the DA budget. On December 15, the DA Secretary wrote to the chairperson submitting a list of farm-to-market road projects with coordinates, amounting to the same P33 billion that we approved,” Pangilinan said.

“Except that P8.9 billion worth of projects were introduced in the December 15 letter, which were not on the list approved on December 13,” he added.

According to Pangilinan, Tiu Laurel explained that the DA had to provide a new list because the earlier submission had been made without his approval, as he was on medical leave at the time.

The senator stressed that the Senate is standing by the list of FMR projects approved on December 13, unless there are bicam members who object.

He also clarified that the projects approved on December 13, worth P33 billion, already had coordinates, and that the new list—including P8.9 billion worth of ‘different’ projects—also comes with coordinates.

“In other words, they are removing P8.9 billion worth of projects that we approved with coordinates and replacing them with P8.9 billion worth of new or different projects, also with coordinates,” Pangilinan said.

The revelation drew the ire of Senator Loren Legarda, who emphasized that government agencies should not get used to changing items in their budget proposals at the last minute.

“If the more than P8 billion worth of FMR were indeed essential for our farmers in the hinterlands, why was it not included in the [National Expenditure Program] or even in the [House’s General Appropriations Bill]? Even if you say there were coordinates, why did they swap?” Legarda asked.

“I have to be enlightened, Mr. Chair—why, within three days of that conversation, is there suddenly a change of heart or a change of mind regarding FMR projects worth P8 billion?” she added.

Pangilinan explained that it was the first time the bicam requested coordinates from agencies such as the DA.

Pangilinan said project items with specific coordinates is a new concept in the ongoing budgeting.

“We’ve never asked for coordinates before. In previous budgets, it has always been lump sum," he said.

"So it is possible that, because this is the first time this is being requested, the preparations of these coordinates had to go through a process that created gaps," Pangilinan added.

The senator surmised that the DA had to "fill the gaps," which needed them to make the changes.

For her part, Legarda argued that such lapses could affect the planning of government projects in the future. She also expressed concern that other agencies might follow the DA’s example.

“Walang ganyan. Hindi nangyayari ‘yan noon, hindi ganitong kagarapal ang pagpapalit-palit… Baka maglapitan lahat ng ahensya ngayon, pwede pala magpalit, palitan namin lahat ng laman, pareho naman ng level eh," she said.

(There was no such thing as this before. The changes in the budget before were not this severe. Maybe other agencies will now think it is possible to replace items in their budget as long as the amounts match.)

"I’m sorry I have to express my disappointment and exasperation. There has to be some discipline in the government,” Legarda said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, meanwhile, said that Tiu Laurel acts as the alter ego of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and therefore has overall knowledge of how the agency should operate, particularly regarding FMR projects.

Citing Agriculture Secretary’s letter, House Appropriations Chair Mikaela Suansing said the new list includes projects chosen for their readiness, alignment with development priorities, and potential to boost farm productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve market access for farmers.

After extensive discussion, the bicameral conference committee ultimately approved a motion adopting the new list of FMR projects, as signed by Tiu Laurel.—MCG, GMA Integrated News