DA inspects suspected ‘ghost’ farm-to-market road project in Guinobatan, Albay

The Department of Agriculture (DA) inspected a suspected “ghost” farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Barangay Lower Binogsacan in Guinobatan, Albay, on Monday.

This was after the department’s internal audit service found that the supposed FMR, which spans one kilometer, was not implemented at its approved site. 

“Our auditors were told the road had been relocated upon the request of the former district representative in April 2021, citing unspecified right-of-way and environmental constraints that supposedly hindered the project,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. in a statement. 

Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division accompanied the audit team to the purported relocation site of the 2021 FMR project during the inspection. 

“The area bore a road marker labeled ‘2019 FMR,’ typically indicating the year of project completion—raising further questions about the timeline and authenticity of the project,” said DA. 

Further, the DA’s audit team flagged a FMR project in Camarines Sur for significant overpricing. Despite a total cost of P14.6 million, the completed works consisted of only 74.3 meters of single-lane road and 32 meters of double-lane road.

Tiu Laurel said the department has launched an investigation to determine accountability and implement safeguards against similar irregularities in upcoming infrastructure projects.

“This is exactly why we are strengthening oversight of FMR projects,” he said. “Farmers deserve infrastructure that actually exists—and works.” —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News