The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to construct and repair farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in Central Luzon with a substantial allocation of P4.89 billion. This initiative, part of the newly ratified 2026 national budget, marks a significant shift in infrastructure responsibility aimed directly at boosting the agricultural heartland of the Philippines.
A Strategic Shift in Infrastructure Management
This project represents a pivotal change in policy. For the first time, the DA will directly handle FMR projects, a function previously managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This transfer of responsibility was formalized when the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the 2026 General Appropriations Bill on December 29, 2025.
The funds for Central Luzon are part of a larger P33.9-billion budget earmarked specifically for FMRs in the region under the DA's purview. Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. stated that this massive infusion will finance an estimated 2,750 kilometers of new roads. The primary goal is to help farmers significantly reduce their production and logistics expenses.
Engineering Efficiency and Local Empowerment
Secretary Laurel emphasized that the DA plans to leverage new technologies to build more cost-effective infrastructure. He noted that while the current average cost for a kilometer of concrete, two-lane FMR is around P15 million, the DA targets a reduction of roughly 20 percent. "The amount can be reduced to P12 million or lower per kilometer," he explained.
To ensure timely and quality project completion, the DA will strengthen its engineering capacity and coordinate closely with local government units (LGUs) and other national agencies. A key provision in the budget mandates the turnover of management and ownership of completed FMRs to their respective LGUs, promoting local autonomy and maintenance.
Impact on the Nation's Rice Granary
The focus on Central Luzon is strategic. The region, often called the country's "rice granary," includes the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. In 2024, it contributed the largest share to the nation's total agricultural production value at approximately 13.7 percent.
By improving rural connectivity, the government expects a direct impact on food affordability. "This will help bring down food prices," Secretary Laurel affirmed. More efficient roads mean lower transport costs for farmers, which can translate to more stable and lower prices for consumers in markets across the country.
The DA's direct involvement in FMRs under its proposed P165.5-billion budget for 2026 signals a focused, agriculture-centric approach to infrastructure development, aiming to sustain the productivity of the Philippines' most vital farming regions.
