No more overpriced farm-to-market roads, says DA

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January 8, 2026 | 4:37pm

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday, January 9, said that there will no longer be overpriced farm-to-market (FMR) roads now that the establishment of these highways will be left to the agency. 

Following the flood control scandal at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the FMR became a point of contention. Lawmakers flagged the overpriced roads, with one project even costing more than 20 times the standard price. 

In a briefing, Tiu Laurel said there is a new costing under the Department of Agriculture (DA). 

“I have consulted the private sector on this and we will have a meeting with the most reputable construction company by next week, so we can show them the figures and of course,” Tiu Laurel said. 

The DA secretary said the proper costing will be established so that the contractor will still make a fair profit without inordinate excesses. 

Based on their current figures, Tiu Laurel said that they will offer P14.5 million per kilometer to companies, with value-added tax included. 

To ensure further transparency in the building of more FMRs, there will also be a transparency portal, which will be accessible to the public, he said. 

“It will be so transparent, every single Filipino can actually go to this portal and see what is happening to every single road that is being made,” Tiu Laurel said.   

FMRs had been one of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s leading solutions to help farmers and improve the country’s agriculture sector. 

However, the massive infrastructure corruption scheme has led many to cast doubt on most of the DPWH’s projects, including the FMRs.