Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formed an internal watchdog unit to strengthen oversight in the implementation of infrastructure projects, especially farm-to-market roads, geared towards the sector’s development.

By 2026, the DA will be taking over the lead in farm-to-market roads as woes in government projects spilled to agri-development amid the flood control corruption scandal.

“We cannot afford gray areas or blind spots,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Monday, Dec. 8.

“This watchdog unit ensures that every DA project is transparent, accountable, and fully aligned with environmental and social standards,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA created the Interim Social and Environmental Safeguards through Department Order 22, serving as the focal mechanism for coordination, harmonization, and monitoring of social and environmental safeguards implementation across the department.

The agency explained the unit will institutionalize safeguard tools developed under the Philippine Rural Development Project, which was supported by the World Bank.

The safeguards include environmental assessments, social risk reviews, and stakeholder engagement protocols that will be integrated across the DA.

The DA said over 60,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads have yet to be built. The national roadmap details 131,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.

The DA submitted an initial review of farm-to-market roads to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in October. It flagged at least P100 million worth of “ghost” farm-to-market roads in Davao Occidental.

Tiu Laurel earlier said the DA is preparing to launch an “FMR Watch” platform where farmers, local government units, and ordinary citizens upload photos and reports to help monitor the construction of farm-to-market roads.

The DA also said it is expanding its infrastructure push with food hubs, cold storage facilities, and rice mills.

The department noted France has pledged support for around 300 steel bridges in 52 provinces to improve access for farmers.