MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered a comprehensive investigation into alleged irregularities in the Department of Agriculture’s procurement and distribution of farm inputs and machinery, responding to complaints from farmers’ groups.

The directive comes despite a routine review earlier this year that found no adverse issues. Tiu Laurel said the new probe would go beyond standard checks to ensure public funds are used properly and to root out any wrongdoing.

“We invite these farmers groups and other organizations to help us ferret out the corrupt within our midst,” he said. With the agriculture budget expanded under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Tiu Laurel stressed that every peso must translate into tangible support for farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers. “We cannot allow these taxpayers’ funds to be squandered,” he added.

The secretary noted that similar complaints were investigated last year, resulting in penalties for those found at fault. He also instructed the DA’s legal team to look into reported delays in fertilizer deliveries, warning that suppliers failing to meet obligations could face penalties or blacklisting.

In a parallel initiative, the DA will test inorganic fertilizers to assess their effectiveness in boosting production and pilot a new procurement system this year. Farmers will be able to purchase eligible products directly using their Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) or IMC-linked e-wallet. Full implementation is planned for next year to streamline access to subsidies and minimize distribution leakages.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), which manages P5 billion annually from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) for machinery and postharvest facilities, is central to the mechanization program. The agency said it maintains real-time records of distributed equipment on its website. Funding for PhilMech will increase under revisions to the Rice Tariffication Act.

PhilMech denied claims that farmer consultations were tokenistic, stating that all procurements undergo competitive public bidding and comply with government procurement and auditing rules. It said tractors, rice combine harvesters, and other mechanization technologies are sourced from multiple qualified suppliers to ensure quality and suitability across diverse farming conditions.

The agency added that structured beneficiary selection and face-to-face consultations are conducted to match equipment with farmers’ production needs, land conditions, and operational capacity. PhilMech reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and farmer-centered implementation.

The investigation ordered by Tiu Laurel highlights the department’s focus on efficient use of agricultural funds and signals zero tolerance for misuse as the DA works to restore trust with the country’s farming communities.