AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Sunday said he was “looking favorably“ at Zamboanga del Sur’s offer to partner in implementing farm-to-market road (FMR) projects throughout the province.
In a letter to Tiu Laurel, Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Divina Grace Yu identified 26 priority road projects in the province, with a P370-million budget, that are for implementation.
This came after the DA said it could partner with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), LGUs and the private sector in building FMRs.
“Local government units coming forward to help the DA fast-track farm-to-market road projects is a welcome development,” said Tiu Laurel. “We need all the support we can get to build infrastructure that opens access, lowers production costs, raises farmers’ income, and delivers real development in the countryside.”
The DA has taken over the construction of FMRs amid the flood control corruption scandal which implicated DPWH officials.
The 2026 General Appropriations Act is allocating P33 billion for FMRs. The amount could build at least 2,200 kilometers of FMRs nationwide, said the DA.
“We firmly believe this collaboration will reinforce transparency and accountability, while ensuring the efficient and timely completion of FMR projects that improve accessibility and advance the welfare of our farmers,” Yu said in her letter to Tiu Laurel.
She noted that the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government is ready to create a group to help monitor and supervise the projects, submit regular disbursement and progress reports to comply with the government’s procurement, accounting, and auditing regulations.
The DA is setting up an online portal and working with civil society groups for FMR monitoring to ensure the swift delivery of agriculture infrastructure within set standards.