SENATORS flagged over P8.9 billion worth of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects allegedly changed after the bicameral conference committee had already approved the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed 2026 budget.
Senate agriculture committee chair Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. submitted a letter dated December 15—two days after bicam approval—listing FMR projects not included in the December 13 version.
“After we approved the DA budget that evening… [on] December 13, the bicam approved the DA budget. On December 15, the DA Secretary wrote to the chairperson submitting a list of farm-to-market road projects with coordinates, amounting to the same P33 billion that we approved,” Pangilinan said.
“Except that P8.9 billion worth of projects were introduced in the December 15 letter, which were not on the list approved on December 13,” he added.
Pangilinan said Tiu Laurel explained the revised list was submitted because the earlier version was prepared while he was on medical leave. He stressed that the Senate stands by the December 13 list unless bicam members object.
“In other words, they are removing P8.9 billion worth of projects that we approved with coordinates and replacing them with P8.9 billion worth of new or different projects, also with coordinates,” Pangilinan said.
Senator Loren Legarda questioned the timing and necessity of the changes, warning against last-minute budget revisions by agencies.
“If the more than P8 billion worth of FMR were indeed essential for our farmers in the hinterlands, why was it not included in the [National Expenditure Program] or even in the [House’s General Appropriations Bill]? Even if you say there were coordinates, why did they swap?” Legarda asked.
“I have to be enlightened, Mr. Chair—why, within three days of that conversation, is there suddenly a change of heart or a change of mind regarding FMR projects worth P8 billion?” she added.
Pangilinan noted that requiring project coordinates was new in the budgeting process, which may have caused gaps in submissions. “We’ve never asked for coordinates before. In previous budgets, it has always been lump sum,” he said. “So it is possible that, because this is the first time this is being requested, the preparations of these coordinates had to go through a process that created gaps,” he added.
Legarda warned the move could set a precedent. “Walang ganyan. Hindi nangyayari ‘yan noon, hindi ganitong kagarapal ang pagpapalit-palit… Baka maglapitan lahat ng ahensya ngayon, pwede pala magpalit, palitan namin lahat ng laman, pareho naman ng level eh,” she said.
“I’m sorry I have to express my disappointment and exasperation. There has to be some discipline in the government,” Legarda added.
House Appropriations Chair Mikaela Suansing said the revised list prioritizes project readiness, alignment with development goals, and potential to boost farm productivity and market access. After deliberations, the bicameral committee approved the new FMR list signed by Tiu Laurel.