Camille Naredo

A woman from the Monamon Norte Federation of Irrigators Association tends to their stall at the Harvest to Goodness weekend market in Eastwood, Quezon City on July 17, 2020.

A woman from the Monamon Norte Federation of Irrigators Association tends to their stall at the Harvest to Goodness weekend market in Eastwood, Quezon City on July 17, 2020. Together with the Department of Agriculture and non-profit group Resto PH, Megaworld Lifestyle malls set up the weekend market to provide a venue for farmers, fisherfolk, and Filipino-owned restaurants to sell their products, as well  as to provide a safer shopping environment for market-goers. The first leg will be at the Eastwood Central Plaza from July 17-10 and July 24-26, and will be followed by separate legs at Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill on July 31 - August 2, and at Uptown Bonifacio on August 7 - 9. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Harvest to Goodness

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it aims to begin the procurement process for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in May, as it finalizes cost estimates affected by rising fuel prices.</p><p>The DA has a ₱33-billion budget for farm-to-market roads under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. Undersecretary for Agro-Marine Industrial Systems Arrey Perez said this will cover 1,605 projects spanning more than 2,000 kilometers nationwide.</p><p>But beyond validating these project sites and other preparations, Perez said the agency must now also account for possible price escalations due to the ongoing oil crisis, which has disrupted supply chains globally.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/30/agri-dept-moves-to-assist-transport-of-goods-support-farmers-amid-high-oil-prices-1106">READ: Agri dept moves to assist transport of goods, support farmers amid high oil prices</a></div><p>“Ang challenge po natin ngayon, dahil tumataas ang presyo ng langis, hindi ho namin ma-finalize yung costing ng mga per kilometer ng kalsada natin so we are closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para i-standardize ang presyo,” he said.</p><p>“Expect natin by May, mag-uumpisa na ho kaming mag-procurement para sa lahat ng bidding na ‘to,” added Perez.</p><p>DA Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa echoed this, saying adjustments are necessary to ensure that the projects are implemented properly.</p><p>“Kung ipipilit natin doon sa dating presyo, magfa-fail din yan sa bidding kaya kailangan ayusin para masigurado na maging successful yung ating procurement and implementation,” he said.</p><p>Perez also emphasized that the validity of the budget is two years.</p><p>“You don’t really expect from the first year na merong ma-implement kaagad. Talagang standard is yung mga infrastructure natin, nag-uumpisa yan sa second or third quarter. Tapos natatapos yan by the second year,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PEREZ REAPPOINTMENT</strong></div><p>The DA has taken over as the lead implementing agency for farm-to-market roads from the DPWH, in the wake of the flood control corruption scandal that blew up last year.</p><p>Perez, who previously resigned from the DPWH in October 2025 over alleged ties to government contractors, is now among those overseeing the farm-to-market road program under the DA.</p><p>He addressed his reappointment, saying the public should focus on his performance.</p><p>“Trabaho lang naman ho tayo. Tignan ho natin yung performance… Siguro ito kalimutan lang yung nakaraan, let’s just move forward. Ginagawa naman ho natin yung ating the best para ho makatulong sa gobyerno,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/4/9/dizon-orders-expropriation-to-resolve-row-issues-in-tarlac-bypass-roads-farm-to-market-routes-1742">READ: Dizon orders expropriation to resolve ROW issues in Tarlac bypass roads, farm-to-market routes</a></div>

<p>The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it aims to begin the procurement process for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in May, as it finalizes cost estimates affected by rising fuel prices.</p>

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it aims to begin the procurement process for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in May, as it finalizes cost estimates affected by rising fuel prices.

DA: Procurement of farm-to-market roads to begin in May amid cost challenges

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DA: Procurement of farm-to-market roads to begin in May amid cost challenges

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 22, 2026 12:46 AM PHT

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Updated April 22, 2026 12:55 AM PHT

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farm-to-market road

Department of Agriculture

Arrey Perez

fuel crisis

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