MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan welcomed the Department of Agriculture (DA) chief’s commitment to lower the cost of building farm-to-market roads (FMRs) by 20 percent, saying the pledge must translate into more roads and tangible benefits for farmers and consumers.

“Pangakong nasusukat ang ibaba ang halaga ng pagpapatayo ng farm-to-market roads nang 20 percent (mula mga ₱18 million per kilometer hanggang sa mga ₱14.5 million). Tinaya ni Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ang pangalan niya, at ganun din ang Pangulo,” Pangilinan said in a statement dated January 9, 2026.

He said the government must ensure that the ₱33-billion FMR allocation in the 2026 national budget results in more completed roads, adding that higher agriculture spending should be felt on the ground through increased farmers’ income and more affordable prices in markets and talipapa.

“Kaya kailangang mas maraming kalye ang magawa ng ₱33-billion FMR allocation sa 2026 national budget. Kailangang maramdaman ng mga magsasaka at mga mamimili ang mas mataas na budget para sa agrikultura. Kailangang tumaas ang kita ng mga magsasaka at maging abot-kaya ang mga bilihin sa palengke at talipapa,” he said.

Citing last year’s flood-control controversy, Pangilinan said public tolerance for corruption has been exhausted. As vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance’s Subcommittee J, which scrutinized the budgets of the DA, the National Irrigation Administration, and parts of the justice sector, he said his own name is also at stake in ensuring proper implementation of infrastructure projects.

“Pagkatapos ng flood-control scandal noong nakaraang taon, ubos na ang pasensya ng tao para sa katiwalian,” he said, noting that safeguards were included in the 2026 budget such as “validation against the DA master plan, geo-tagged projects, and public monitoring tools” to prevent insertions and overpriced contracts.

Pangilinan also urged citizens and civil society groups to take part in monitoring the implementation of infrastructure projects.

“Nanawagan ako sa lahat ng karaniwang mamamayan, civil society groups, non-government orgs: Tulad ng pagtulong niyo nuong budget process, makilahok at makipagpartner sa pagbuo ng isang public-private audit coordinating task force na magmomonitor at magsisiguro ng grassroots reporting sa pagpapatupad ng mga ganitong proyekto,” he said.

He warned contractors and politicians against corruption, vowing to pursue accountability through Senate hearings.

“Kasama ng taumbayan, magbabantay tayo. At sa sinumang gumawa o magtangkang gumawa ng kalokohan dito, hahabulin ko kayo, ipapatawag ko kayo sa mga Senate hearing, at ibubulatlat ang paldo sa katiwalian. Hindi tayo papayag sa mga kickback, tongpats, o commission,” Pangilinan said.