Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has urged lawmakers to support the proposed Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) Development and Equity Act, which aims to address the backlog in rural road infrastructure.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the importance of FMRs in meeting the Marcos administration's food security goals. Tiu Laurel stated that farm-to-market roads are essential for reducing consumer costs, increasing producer earnings, and promoting growth in rural economies.

The DA has estimated that a 36,000-kilometer backlog of FMRs could be resolved under a six-year implementation cycle as part of the agency's master plan. Tiu Laurel highlighted that each kilometer of FMR built offers a pathway out of poverty for rural communities, and emphasized the need for a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable approach to tackling the backlog.

The agency believes that properly executed FMR projects will enhance connectivity, moderate food inflation, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost profitability for farmers and fishers. The proposed legislation aims to provide not only physical roads but also a stronger foundation for food security, equity, and national development.

The proposed law seeks to ensure equitable access by allocating 30 percent of the FMR budget to areas with high poverty incidence, particularly in rural communities. Other allocations will be managed by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, and the Regional Development Councils. Priority areas will include major commodity production zones, fisheries development areas, livestock clusters, and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), such as upland barangays and island municipalities. These sites will be identified by the DA, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the National Livestock Program.