The government lost P10.3 billion and nearly 700 kilometers of farm-to-market roads due to overpricing from 2023 to 2024, Senator Win Gatchalian flagged.

During the Senate Committee on Finance’s hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Gatchalian revealed that the ten most overpriced farm-to-market roads in 2024 cost as much as P348,432 per meter. 

According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, farm-to-market roads can cost as low as P10,000 per meter. An analysis by Gatchalian’s office also found that in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, Regions V, VIII, and III had the highest number of projects priced at P30,000 or higher per meter.

“Kung walang assurance na maayos yung trabaho ng farm-to-market roads in 2026, tatanggalin na lang naming lahat itong pondo at ilalagay namin sa iba,”said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Gatchalian also floated the idea of transferring the construction of farm-to-market roads from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the DA, but sought assurances from the DA that there will be no more overpricing.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN