The Department of Agriculture (DA) has established an internal watchdog unit to strengthen oversight of infrastructure projects—particularly farm-to-market roads (FMRs)—as the agency prepares to assume full leadership of FMR development by 2026.
The move follows heightened scrutiny of government projects amid the flood control corruption scandal.
“We cannot afford gray areas or blind spots,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
“This watchdog unit ensures that every DA project is transparent, accountable, and fully aligned with environmental and social standards.”
Created through Department Order 22, the Interim Social and Environmental Safeguards unit will coordinate and monitor compliance with social and environmental safeguards across the DA.
It will institutionalize tools from the World Bank–supported Philippine Rural Development Project, including environmental assessments, social risk reviews, and stakeholder engagement protocols.
The DA noted that more than 60,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads still need to be built, out of a 131,000-kilometer national target. An initial FMR review submitted to President Bongbong Marcos in October flagged at least ₱100 million worth of “ghost” roads in Davao Occidental.
Tiu Laurel earlier announced an upcoming “FMR Watch” platform to allow farmers, LGUs, and citizens to upload photos and reports to help track FMR construction.
The DA is also expanding infrastructure efforts with food hubs, cold storage facilities, and rice mills, while France has pledged support for about 300 steel bridges across 52 provinces.