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Philippines to Begin Farm-to-Market Road Construction in October
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) expects to commence construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in October, following the program's transfer from the Department of Public Works and Highways. Bidding began this month after the DA received its Special Allotment Release Order. However, the allocated budget is considered insufficient for the 55,000-kilometer target.
AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said he expects the Department of Agriculture (DA) to start building farm-to-market roads (FMRs) next month, after the DA took over the program from the Department of Public Works and Highways. Speaking on the sidelines of the DA budget hearing at the House of Representatives, Mr. Laurel told reporters that bidding for the projects began this month with construction expected to begin by October this year. Mr. Laurel said the DA just received the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) from the Department of Budget and Management last week aimed to fund the projects. “We just got our SARO last week because the transition to the DA also has to follow certain rules,” Mr. Laurel told reporters. At the DA’s budget hearing, Mr. Laurel said the proposed P16-billion allotment for the construction and rehabilitation of FMR projects is not enough to cover the 55,000 kilometers required for an effective FMR network. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza
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