Manila: Senators on Sunday demanded full transparency regarding the PHP33-billion allocation for farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in the proposed 2026 national budget. Concerns have been raised about whether the list of projects was developed through agency planning or resulted from congressional insertions following the realignment of flood-control funds.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson emphasized the need for clarity on the origin and vetting of the FMR projects. He noted that the funding level is double the PHP16 billion proposed under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and surpasses the House version. Lacson questioned whether the FMR projects, potentially funded by the realignment of PHP255.5 billion in flood-control funds, were identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) or inserted by lawmakers.
Lacson expressed his unwillingness to endorse the bicameral conference committee report unless the issue is resolved. “I will not associate myself with the PHP33-billion spending for unplanned and unvetted farm-to-market roads,” he stated. He highlighted the risk of repeating issues that led to the scrutiny of flood-control projects, stressing the necessity for agency-driven, properly planned, and publicly disclosed projects.
Senator Erwin Tulfo also raised concerns, warning that the significant increase in the FMR budget might lead to public suspicion if safeguards are unclear. “I also have reservations on this because it’s PHP33 billion. This is such a huge amount,” Tulfo said during the bicameral conference committee meeting. He added that the public might perceive the shift from flood control to farm-to-market roads as problematic.
Senator Pia Cayetano pointed out that the effective funding for FMRs in 2026 could increase further due to unreleased funds from the prior year. She expressed surprise that a master plan had not yet been developed, noting that the total could reach PHP43 billion once PHP11 billion in 2025 unreleased funds are considered.
House Appropriations Committee chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing clarified during discussions that an FMR master plan already exists but acknowledged that some remote areas remain uncovered. Senator Loren Legarda stressed the importance of need-based implementation, insulated from political considerations. She advocated for distribution based on area needs rather than political districts.
Tulfo called for assurances that safety and quality control measures will be strictly enforced in FMR project implementation. He emphasized the importance of transparency, especially in the absence of flood-control projects in the 2026 budget, to ensure proper use of the PHP33 billion.
Senators are looking for the final bicameral report to clearly outline the source, criteria, and geographic distribution of FMR projects, ensuring accountability in the realignment of funds initially designated for flood-control measures.
