DA chief probes alleged ‘ghost’ farm-to-market road in Albay
GUINOBATAN, Albay (March 23, 2026) — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. personally inspected a questionable farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Barangay Lower Binogsacan, amid allegations that the infrastructure may not have been built at its approved location.
The project, a 1-kilometer-long and 5-meter-wide access road, was originally intended to improve transport for farmers and support local development even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
An initial review conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) in November revealed that the road was not constructed at its designated site.
According to Tiu Laurel, auditors were informed that the project had been relocated in April 2021 upon the request of a former district representative, citing right-of-way and environmental concerns. However, these claims remain under scrutiny.
Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) later led auditors to a different location believed to be the project’s new site. The area, however, displayed a road marker labeled “2019 FMR,” typically used to indicate the year of completion—raising doubts about the project’s timeline and authenticity.
In a separate validation, auditors also flagged a farm-to-market road project in Camarines Sur for possible overpricing. The project, measuring 74.3 meters for a single lane and 32 meters for a two-lane section, reportedly cost ₱14.6 million.
These findings have triggered concerns over potential irregularities in the implementation and reporting of farm-to-market road projects, which are critical in improving farmers’ access to markets and reducing post-harvest losses.
Tiu Laurel said the Department of Agriculture is now conducting a thorough investigation, including a review of project documents, fund disbursements, and coordination with concerned agencies to determine accountability.
He emphasized the need for stricter monitoring of infrastructure projects, stressing that farmers must benefit from functional and properly implemented facilities.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
