The Department of Agriculture (DA) has established a watchdog unit to ensure accountability and transparency as it takes over the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) beginning next year.

The DA previously announced the shift on 28 October, noting that FMRs are critical infrastructure supporting rural economies and lowering production costs for farmers and fisherfolk.

The watchdog unit will operate under the DA’s newly established Interim Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit, which will formalize the safeguards framework originally developed through the World Bank–supported Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). This framework includes environmental assessments, social risk evaluations, and stakeholder engagement protocols that will be embedded across all DA offices, bureaus, attached agencies, and regional field units as the department expands its climate-resilient programs.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the SES Unit will craft a department-wide roadmap, harmonize standards, embed safeguards into every stage of project planning and procurement, and ensure compliance with national regulations and development-partner requirements. A nationwide network of trained safeguard officers will provide oversight at both central and regional levels.

The DPWH, which previously handled FMR construction, has faced criticism over allegations of substandard and non-existent infrastructure projects, particularly those tied to the ongoing floodgate scandal.

“The recent controversy surrounding flood control projects underscores why we need a strong safeguards system. We cannot afford gray areas or blind spots,” Tiu Laurel said. “This watchdog unit ensures that every DA project is transparent, accountable, and fully aligned with environmental and social standards.”

Tiu Laurel recently met with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to audit existing FMR projects and prepare for the transition in 2026. The DA says the country faces a backlog of 60,000 kilometers of FMRs out of the 131,000-kilometer target essential for reducing transport costs, post-harvest losses, and improving market access.

Dizon earlier noted that about 1,000 kilometers of FMRs still need to be built in 2025, saying local government units may be tapped more aggressively—similar to the classroom construction strategy—to accelerate completion.

On 3 November, the House minority bloc called for an internal probe into alleged overpricing and possible fraud in FMR construction, citing Senator Win Gatchalian’s findings flagging P10 billion worth of “extremely overpriced” projects funded under the 2023 and 2024 budgets.

To strengthen oversight, the DA said the watchdog unit will coordinate with the DENR, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and financing partners like the World Bank and IFAD. The move follows World Bank recommendations under PRDP Scale-Up to establish permanent safeguards positions for continuity.