MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is enhancing oversight of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects to ensure public funds result in durable access for farmers and fisherfolk, lower production costs, better income, and lasting rural development.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the return of the FMR program to the DA reflects a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability.

“Farm-to-market road implementation was returned to the Department of Agriculture not because we are perfect, but because we are determined to be transparent—with everyone’s help and cooperation,” he said.

The DA’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) has been designated to lead nationwide FMR implementation, centralizing responsibility to ensure consistent engineering standards, particularly in agricultural heartlands where road quality affects farm incomes, logistics efficiency, and market access.

Complementing this effort is FMR Watch, a public transparency and monitoring portal managed by BAFE’s Information Systems and Digitalization Division. The platform allows stakeholders to track projects from proposal to completion, integrating official records with budget data, construction milestones, geotagged photos, and citizen feedback.

FMR Watch has tracked 4,810 projects undertaken between 2021 and 2025, with a combined investment of P76.52 billion and coverage of nearly 2,400 kilometers nationwide. Of these, 3,135 projects have been completed. DA Regional Field Offices handle day-to-day coordination and respond to public comments, which are typically acknowledged and verified within three days.

“This is a digital flashlight,” Tiu Laurel said of the platform. “Farmers, fisherfolk, LGUs, and citizen watchdogs can see where roads should be, how projects are progressing, and whether implementation meets standards. There are no smoke and mirrors—only maps, data, and accountability.”

The initiative coincides with the 2026 budget signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which allocated P33 billion for FMR projects this year to construct over 2,300 kilometers of roads.

“These roads are not just asphalt and concrete,” Tiu Laurel said. “They lower production costs, raise farm incomes, reduce food prices, and support long-term rural development. When public funds build real roads instead of private fortunes, everyone benefits—farmers and consumers alike.”

FMR Watch can be accessed at https://fmrwatch.bafe.gov.ph.