DA Uncovers P75 Million ‘Ghost’ Farm-to-Market Roads in Mindanao
The Department of Agriculture reportedly discovered an alleged ‘ghost’ farm-to-market road projects in Mindanao.
On Tuesday (September 30, 2025), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Reported that the agency discovered an alleged ‘ghost’ farm-to-market road projects in Mindanao worth P75 million.
‘Sa ngayon initial reports pa lang at hindi naman ganoon kalaki in terms of the whole FMR projects, isolated case pa ang nakita namin sa Region XI at meron din sa may Zamboanga City,’‘ Laurel said.
According to the Agriculture Department, the questionable projects date back to 2021 and 2022. Initial findings showed that the supposed farm-to-market roads, stretching around five kilometers, were either incomplete or non-existent.
The agency identified small contractors believed to be behind the irregular projects. ”We’re talking about maybe five kilometers ang nakikita namin, ‘yun pa lang so initial pa lang ‘to. ‘Yung value noon nasa P75 million siguro,” he added.
The DA secretary described the case as isolated, pointing out that it was found in Region XI and Zamboanga City. He clarified that the contractors involved are not part of the 15 big firms previously flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for securing most of the country’s flood control projects.
Although the project was funded under the DA’s budget, the actual implementation was handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Secretary Tiu Laurel has already coordinated with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon regarding the findings.
Laurel also informed President Marcos verbally and committed to submitting a formal report to the Office of the President.
The DA emphasized that the matter does not appear to be part of any budget “insertion” but is still being closely reviewed. An ongoing audit of all farm-to-market road projects from 2021 is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Farm-to-market roads are vital for local farmers as they help transport goods from rural areas to marketplaces.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the issue:
