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Senators flag P8.9-B ‘last-minute’ changes in farm-to-market road budget
Senators flagged approximately P8.9 billion worth of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that were allegedly "swapped" two days after the bicameral conference committee (Bicam) had already approved the Department of Agriculture's (DA) proposed 2026 budget.
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan raised concerns that these projects were not included in the version approved by the Bicam on December 13.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. submitted a letter on December 15 listing FMR projects, which were not on the list approved on December 13.
Pangilinan noted that these P8.9 billion worth of projects were introduced after the Bicam approved the DA budget.
Tiu Laurel explained that the DA had to provide a new list because the earlier submission was made without his approval, as he was on medical leave at the time.
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The Senate and House of Representatives have approved a P33 billion budget for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in 2026.
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Senator Loren Legarda criticized government agencies for submitting last-minute budget requests and project insertions during bicameral conference committee deliberations for the 2026 budget.
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