The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects to cut construction costs for its farm-to-market road (FMR) program by at least 20 percent when it assumes control of the project in 2026, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
It said the efficiency measures, which include streamlined management and the adoption of new technologies like soil stabilizers, are projected to reduce the cost of a 2-lane concrete FMR to P12 million or less from the current P15 million.
The announcement comes as the House of Representatives doubled the proposed 2026 FMR budget to P32 billion, following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to realign flood-control funds toward agricultural infrastructure.
The initial proposal was P16 billion. With the expanded budget and expected savings, the DA aims to build around 2,000 kilometers of rural roads.
Tiu Laurel said the cost savings would be used to “build more roads, helping farmers and fisherfolk cut production costs, reach markets faster, earn more and ultimately lower food prices.”
He said the DA aims to improve market connectivity for rural producers, increase farm incomes and help stabilize food prices for consumers. To ensure transparency and efficiency, Tiu Laurel said the DA would collaborate closely with local governments, civil society organizations and the Philippine Army’s Corps of Engineers.
The department’s master plan identifies about 131,000 kilometers of potential FMRs nationwide. Around 70,000 kilometers have been completed, meaning full completion could take 60 years at the current pace.
Tiu Laurel said the DA intends to “cut that time in half with stronger coordination and smarter spending.”
