Pwersa Balita

DA Files P94-M Ghost Road Case in Davao Occidental

May 22, 2026 1.4K

Farmers in remote communities depend on farm-to-market roads to bring rice, vegetables, and other crops to local markets. But in parts of Davao Occidental, some roads meant to help farmers reportedly existed only on paper, leaving communities without the infrastructure promised to them.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday filed formal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private contractors over alleged irregularities involving eight supposed “ghost” Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) projects worth around P94 million in Davao Occidental.

The complaints were led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., also known as “Kiko” Tiu Laurel. According to the DA, the cases include allegations of corruption, malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, grave misconduct, and serious dishonesty against the respondents.

Farm-to-market roads are considered vital projects in agricultural provinces because they help farmers transport produce faster and at lower cost. These roads also improve access to markets, schools, health centers, and other essential services in rural communities.

The DA said the questioned projects were intended to support agricultural development and improve the livelihood of farmers in Davao Occidental. However, investigations allegedly found that some of the roads either did not exist or were incomplete despite reports claiming that projects had already been implemented and funded.

Government records show that FMR projects are among the key infrastructure priorities of the national government to strengthen food security and rural development. The projects are funded through taxpayers’ money and are expected to directly benefit farming communities across the country.

Secretary Laurel stressed the importance of accountability in government spending, especially for projects connected to agriculture and food production. He said public funds intended for farmers should not be wasted through corruption or fraudulent activities.

The filing of complaints before the Ombudsman is part of the government’s broader campaign to improve transparency and ensure that agricultural funds are used properly. The Ombudsman is responsible for investigating public officials accused of wrongdoing and may recommend administrative or criminal charges when evidence is sufficient.

The alleged “ghost” road projects have also raised concerns among farmer groups and local residents, who continue to face challenges in transporting agricultural products due to poor road conditions in some rural areas. Farmers often spend more on transportation when roads are damaged or inaccessible, reducing their earnings and affecting the supply of food in markets.

Analysts say infrastructure corruption can have long-term effects on rural development because unfinished or missing projects delay economic opportunities in farming communities. Proper roads are especially important in Mindanao, one of the country’s major food-producing regions.

The DA has not yet released the complete identities of all individuals involved pending further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, concerned agencies are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the extent of the alleged irregularities.

As the legal process moves forward, many farmers hope the case will lead to stronger accountability and better protection of public funds meant to support agriculture and rural development.

Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News
#DepartmentOfAgriculture, #FarmToMarketRoad, #DavaoOccidental, #GoodGovernance, #ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas

Recent BALITA