Makabayan bloc seeks probe into P15.9B farm-to-market road overpricing

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is seeking a comprehensive investigation into alleged systematic corruption and overpricing in farm-to-market road projects.

The lawmakers cited the Department of Agriculture's National Farm-to-Market Roads Network Plan for 2023-2028, which proposes a budget of P15.91 million per kilometer, significantly higher than the average cost of P9.486 million per kilometer.

An additional P1 million per kilometer is included in the plan for 'better connectivity and street design'.

The resolution, filed on October 29, has been assigned to the House Committees on Public Accounts and on Agriculture and Food for investigation.

This initiative follows an audit by the Department of Agriculture on nearly a thousand farm-to-market road projects implemented since 2021.

Both the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Works and Highways have indicated their intention to file criminal complaints regarding questionable projects.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian estimates that over P10.3 billion has been lost due to alleged overpricing in these projects over the past two years.