DA: Farm-to-market road projects in 2026 are 'properly costed'

The Department of Agriculture said Thursday that the farm-to-market roads (FMRs) which will be implemented by the agency are properly costed. 

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the remark after the People's Budget Coalition said that there were more than 800 FMRs under the DA budget line, which have “very round numbers,'' an indication that they were not properly costed.

''Definitely, I can guarantee kung sino man iyong nagsasabi... na properly costed ito, mayroon na akong bagong costing. I have consulted the private sector on this and we will have a meeting with the most reputable construction company by next week, para maipakita namin sa kanila iyong aming figures at siyempre everybody can comment and you can join of course, everybody can join, para nga ma-establish namin iyong tamang costing ng farm-to-market road na kikita ang contractor, pero  wala nang sobra para kanino man,'' Tiu Laurel said in a press briefing. 

(I can guarantee that these were properly costed, I already have new costings. I have consulted the private sector on this and we will have a meeting with the most reputable construction company by next week so we can show them our figures and everybody can join and comment so we can establish the right costing of farm-to-market roads.) 

Under the 2026 budget, a total of P33-billion was allocated for FMR roads, Tiu Laurel said. 

The budget allocation will cover about 1,600 new FMRs to be implemented this year.

FMRs are designed to link agriculture and fisheries production areas, coastal landing sites, and post-harvest facilities to markets and major highways.

These roads are intended to reduce transport and production costs for farmers, enabling them to earn higher prices and increase their incomes. —AOL, GMA Integrated News