Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered a broad investigation Wednesday into alleged irregularities in the procurement and distribution of subsidized farm inputs and machinery, responding to farmer complaints despite a routine review earlier this year that found no issues.
The probe targets reported delays in fertilizer deliveries and the distribution of machinery under the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), which manages billions of pesos annually under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
DA officials found engaged in unscrupulous acts will be dealt with, while suppliers failing to meet obligations could face penalties or blacklisting, Tiul Laurel said.
“We invite these farmers’ groups and other organizations to help us ferret out the corrupt within our midst,” he said.
Federation of Free Farmers chairman Leonardo Montemayor and MAGSASAKA Party-List president Argel Joseph Cabatbat welcomed the probe, but warned of long-standing systemic issues.
The groups alleged that funding decisions were influenced by a small group of senior DA officials and political backers, with project specifications favoring selected suppliers and some bidders allegedly paying commissions.
According to the groups, problems include substandard seeds, incorrect fertilizer grades, poorly performing machinery with weak after-sales support, idle rice mills, overpricing and delayed deliveries. They cautioned that lower-level DA personnel could be made scapegoats if systemic issues go unaddressed.
The DA said it would test inorganic fertilizers for efficacy and pilot a new procurement system allowing farmers to buy products directly using an e-wallet linked to their Intervention Monitoring Card. Full implementation is planned for next year.
PhilMech defended its practices, saying all procurements undergo competitive public bidding and technologies are deployed based on field-validated needs.
With its RCEF budget hitting P9 billion under the revised Rice Tariffication Act, the agency reiterated its commitment to transparency and farmer-centered implementation.
The DA said the probe would enforce strict accountability and root out any misuse of funds as it works to rebuild trust with farming communities ahead of the planting season.
