DA Audit Finds Nine Ghost Farm-to-Market Roads in Mindanao
The Department of Agriculture’s ongoing audit of the farm-to-market roads (FMRs) program has unearthed nine projects in Mindanao that do not exist. The ₱125 million value of these so-called ghost FMRs comes after an initial discovery of three non-existent projects on Monday, followed by the identification of six more that were reported as completed in DPWH records but were never built.
A total of seven ghost roads are located in Davao Occidental, while two are in Lanao del Sur. The nine projects span a small total length, with authorities indicating the figures reflect a limited but troubling portion of the sprawling FMR portfolio. The projects were supposedly completed between 2021 and 2023, according to DPWH reports, yet the DA’s audit shows construction had not even begun.
What Makes a Ghost FMR?
Under the current process, the DA identifies and validates FMR sites, then transfers them to the DPWH, which handles bidding and construction. The nine Mindanao projects, flagged as ghost, were documented as completed in DPWH reports, creating a mismatch between record-keeping and actual field work. This discrepancy raises concerns about the integrity of procurement data and the potential diversion of public funds meant to improve access to markets for farmers.
Audit Scope and Early Findings
So far, the DA has targeted about 70,000 kilometers (km) of FMRs for audit across the country. Of the 4,700 km the agency has reviewed to date, roughly 3,000 km have been verified as legitimate, while about 1,000 km are awaiting further validation. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel noted that, although the initial findings show a relatively small share of problematic projects compared with broader flood-control programs, any misreporting is unacceptable and warrants prompt corrective action.
Geographic Breakdown
Details from DA findings show that the bulk of the nine ghost roads are in Davao Occidental (seven projects), with two located in Lanao del Sur. The combined value remains around ₱125 million. The audit timeline indicates these projects were listed as complete in DPWH records within the 2021–2023 window, despite not having commenced construction according to DA records and on-site verification.
Why This Matters
Ghost FMR projects are more than accounting anomalies; they represent a misalignment between planned infrastructure and actual service delivery. FMRs are designed to connect farmers to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and stimulate rural economies. When funds are allocated to non-existent roads, farmers lose trusted access routes, and public resources are effectively wasted.
Government Response and Accountability
Around these findings, the DA has emphasized that the DPWH bears responsibility for the contracts it awarded, as the agency conducts bidding and execution. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stressed that even a small percentage of problematic projects is troubling, underscoring that the intended benefits of the nine kilometers—or roads in question—were never realized for farmers.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been briefed on the preliminary audit results, and Malacañang noted that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon is actively monitoring the issue. Secretary Laurel indicated the DA is prepared to personally visit the FMR sites as the audit proceeds toward completion later this year.
Looking Ahead: The Bigger Picture and Budgets
The Mindanao findings come amid broader scrutiny of public works amid a flood-control controversy involving major contractors. The government has identified top contractors tied to large-scale contracts, prompting calls for greater transparency and oversight. The DA’s ongoing audit into FMRs aims to determine whether similar issues exist in other regions and to safeguard public funds.
Beyond the immediate corrective actions, the DA envisions a long-term expansion of the FMR network: from the current roughly 70,000 km completed to as much as 131,000 km. For 2026, the DA’s budget is proposed at ₱16 billion to construct about 1,067 km of roads, a significant reduction from the ₱56 billion originally requested. A reallocation of ₱39.4 billion from the DPWH’s flood-control budget to the DA has bumped the department’s total proposed budget to ₱216.1 billion, with earmarks for flagship projects such as cold storage, solar-powered irrigation, and additional FMRs. The restructuring also injects ₱22.5 billion into the Office of the Secretary for flagship programs and ₱16.9 billion toward coconut replanting, crop insurance, fish port upgrades, and other rural-improvement initiatives.
As the DA pushes forward, the focus remains on ensuring that every peso spent on FMRs translates into actual, functional roads that farmers can rely on to move produce to markets.
