Photo courtesy of Philstar

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on January 9 that the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMR) will now be under the Department of Agriculture (DA) to prevent overpricing. This move follows recent allegations concerning the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) where lawmakers highlighted inflated costs, with some projects reported to be over twenty times the normal rate. Tiu Laurel aims for transparent costs, setting a standard of P14.5 million per kilometer, inclusive of VAT.

Recently, the DPWH was embroiled in a scandal over exorbitant project costs. The controversy has significantly impacted trust in public infrastructure initiatives. In response, Tiu Laurel has consulted with the private sector and plans to meet reputable construction companies to discuss fair pricing and profitability.

Emphasizing a fair profit margin for contractors, Tiu Laurel is implementing a transparency portal that will allow the public to track the progress and costs of FMR projects. This move aims to rebuild public confidence in infrastructure projects, especially the FMRs initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance agricultural efficiency.

Looking ahead, the DA will assume control of FMR developments, ensuring transparent operations and proper expenditure. The public will soon have full access to this transparency portal, potentially setting a precedent for other government projects. A meeting with a leading construction company is scheduled to refine these measures, reported Philstar.

Key Takeaways

• The DA will oversee farm-to-market road projects to curb overpricing.

• A new transparency portal will allow public access to project details.

• The standard costing is set at P14.5 million per kilometer, VAT included.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Philstar 2026-01-08

 

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Recently, the DPWH was embroiled in a scandal over exorbitant project costs.

Hmmm. Follow the money; where did it go? If a company made an excessive profit then it'll be in their accounts? Reflected in their taxes? I think we can all make a decent guess at where the money really went. Let's hope the DA is a bit more, ahem, honest.