Uncovered ‘ghost’ farm-to-market roads grow to 8
MANILA, Philippines — The tally of unfinished or missing farm-to-market roads has reached eight so far, with more expected as the government continues its audit of agriculture projects.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said yesterday that these anomalous infrastructure projects are located in Davao Occidental and cover the years 2020 to 2023.
“I have a thousand (projects) that were audited. And they saw some there in Davao Occidental, particularly,” De Mesa said during a press conference at the DA office in Quezon City.
He said that the cumulative value of these projects stands at P100 million, down from an earlier initial estimate of P125 million.
De Mesa said audits are ongoing in Luzon and Mindanao, with plans to complete the nationwide review by the first quarter of next year.
Under the government’s roadmap, about 131,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads nationwide are under consideration to better connect producers in the countryside with major trading hubs and ports.
Meanwhile, the 28-member minority bloc in the House of Representatives has urged resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the country and place his allegations of budget irregularities and kickbacks under oath. – Jose Rodel Clapano
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