DA expects 20% savings in farm-to-market road construction starting 2026

The Department of Agriculture (DA) anticipates saving at least 20% on construction costs by taking over the development of farm-to-market roads (FMR) from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) starting in 2026.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel stated that these savings could fund more roads, thereby reducing farmer and fisherfolk production costs, improving market access, increasing earnings, and lowering food prices.

Currently, building one kilometer of a concrete, two-lane FMR costs approximately P15 million.

The DA estimates it can reduce this cost to P12 million per kilometer by employing internal management efficiencies and new technologies, potentially even lower with alternative methods like soil stabilizers.

The administration's initial proposal for 2026 included P16 billion for 1,000 kilometers of FMRs, but the House of Representatives increased this to P32 billion.

This budget increase followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to reallocate flood-control funds to agricultural infrastructure.

The DA plans to collaborate with local governments, civil society organizations, and the Philippine Army's Corps of Engineers to ensure transparency and efficiency in the road projects.