MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that safeguards are in place to prevent corruption in farm-to-market road projects, stressing that reforms are intended to ensure accountability and avoid a repeat of past irregularities.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said reforms initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. include transparency in budgeting, public bidding, and shifting program implementation to agencies working closely with local government units.

“Tandaan natin, sino po ba ang ang unang nagsabi na gusto niyang maging maayos ang budget? Ang Pangulong Marcos Jr. Siya rin po ang nagpaimbestiga ng mga maanomalyang flood control projects at infrastructure,” Castro said.

“So, ayaw niya pong maulit iyong mga naganap noong nakaraan. Kaya ito ang nais niya, maging maayos lahat ang transaksiyon, maging bukas sa publiko, kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng transparency portal at iyan din ang gagawin ng DA (Department of Agriculture),” she added.

The assurance comes as the implementation of farm-to-market road projects is set to be transferred from the Department of Public Works and Highways to the Department of Agriculture.

According to Castro, the shift is aimed at aligning project implementation more closely with actual needs on the ground while strengthening transparency through open bidding and closer coordination with local government units.

“Ang programang ito ay pamumunuan ng DA at ng LGU (local government units), at pati ang mga bidding nito ay open sa publiko para makita nila,” she said.

The transfer forms part of President Marcos’ broader campaign to probe anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects, ensure accountability in the use of public funds, and implement institutional reforms.