Francis Pangilinan on Monday, 29 December, warned that allowing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) back into farm-to-market road (FMR) projects risks undermining both anti-corruption efforts and food security goals.

Pangilinan voted “yes with reservations” on the 2026 national budget, saying he supports the Bicameral Conference Committee report but asked Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto a provision that would allow the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enter into memoranda of agreement with DPWH for next year’s P33-billion FMR program.

“The DPWH is among the agencies that will implement FMR projects, which is why we have reservations about signing the bicam report,” Pangilinan said.

He noted that the DPWH remains burdened by unresolved administrative and criminal cases linked to flood-control projects.

“As with disciplining our children, we do not reward bad behavior. We give time-outs. DPWH has to earn back the public’s trust,” he added.

Pangilinan cited Section 52 of Republic Act No. 8435, or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, which states that the planning and prioritization of FMRs belong to the DA, in coordination with local governments and farmers and fisherfolk.

He stressed that FMRs are not just concrete projects but economic tools “tied directly to food security,” and should therefore be decided based on agricultural need, not general public works priorities.

“I voted yes because the country needs a budget. But on this point, the President’s veto is needed to protect farmers, safeguard public funds, and keep farm roads focused on feeding the nation,” he explained.

On Monday, the Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, which proposes a P6.793-trillion national budget for next year.

The ratified version of the 2026 GAB will then be sent to Malacañang for Marcos’ signature.