Overview: Nine ghost FMRs surface in Mindanao
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has identified nine non-existent farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in Mindanao during its ongoing audit. The combined value of these ghost projects is about ₱125 million. Following an initial discovery of three ghost projects earlier in the week, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the audit has uncovered six additional projects that were reported as completed but were never constructed. The nine FMRs together cover roughly one kilometer, or nine kilometers if all misreported segments are counted, and were allegedly completed between 2021 and 2023 in DPWH records.
What the audit found and why it matters
The DA cross-validated its records against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reports and found that these FMRs were not built, despite DPWH declarations that they were finished. DA identifies and validates FMR sites, then transfers them to DPWH for bidding and construction. The discrepancy underscores gaps in oversight and the potential misallocation of public funds earmarked to improve farmers’ access to markets. Secretary Laurel noted that while the ghost projects are smaller in scale than the larger flood-control scheme, they still raise alarms about procurement integrity and public trust.
Locations and suspected contractors
Preliminary findings point to local contractors in Davao Occidental and Lanao del Sur as responsible for the bogus FMR work. While names are not disclosed in early disclosures, the pattern aligns with concerns raised in broader infrastructure probes, including a tally of contractors flagged in a separate flood-control scandal. That broader inquiry identified top contractors involved in contracts totaling about ₱100 billion of the ₱545 billion flood-control budget since 2022, illustrating why the DA is integrating anti-corruption measures into its FMR audit.
Impact on funds and farmers
Even though the nine ghost FMRs constitute a small share of the overall program, their existence highlights the risk of misused funds meant to connect farmers with markets. The DA has set an ambitious target to build up to 131,000 km of FMRs to ensure seamless farm-to-market access. With roughly 70,000 km already completed, about 61,000 km remain to be constructed. The audit findings reinforce the need for stronger safeguards as the DA plans to scale the network while protecting public investments that directly benefit farmers and rural economies.
The road ahead: reforms, budgeting, and next steps
DA Secretary Laurel has indicated that the audit will continue until every FMR nationwide is reviewed by year’s end. When concerns arise, the DPWH handles contracting; however, the chain of custody must be tightened to prevent similar ghost projects. In a broader budgetary move, ₱39.4 billion was reallocated from the DPWH’s ₱255.5 billion flood-control package to the DA, increasing the 2026 DA budget to ₱216.1 billion. Of this increase, ₱22.5 billion will fund flagship DA programs such as cold storage, solar-powered irrigation, and FMRs, while the rest supports coconut replanting, crop insurance, fish port upgrades, and post-harvest infrastructure. The DA also plans to personally inspect FMR sites to restore confidence and ensure progress aligns with stated objectives.
Context: Why this matters in the broader infrastructure program
The discovery of ghost FMRs occurs amid concerns over corruption in flood-control projects, with government officials and contractors under scrutiny for potential misappropriation. Malacañang has stated that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon is monitoring the situation, and the DA is ready to address the issue promptly. Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stressed that even a small percentage of problematic projects can erode public trust and impede the core goal of providing reliable roads for farmers.
Conclusion: Keeping the focus on farming communities
As the DA advances its audit and corrective actions, the central aim remains clear: deliver dependable farm-to-market roads that connect farmers to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and accelerate rural development. The nine ghost FMRs in Mindanao serve as a cautionary example but also as a catalyst for stronger oversight and transparent governance, ensuring every peso spent translates into real, verifiable progress for farmers.
