Audit Reveals Unbuilt Farm-to-Market Roads in Davao Occidental Valued at P100 Million

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has uncovered eight farm-to-market road projects in Davao Occidental valued at approximately P100 million that were funded between 2021 and 2023 but have yet to be constructed, according to a preliminary audit report released on Thursday.

During a briefing, DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa stated that four of these projects, ostensibly completed according to reports, showed no actual progress as of September 2025. Some construction activities were noted during the audit, which de Mesa suggested might be efforts to remediate delays.

"Since the budget has already lapsed, there should be no ongoing works. However, activity was observed, as noted by the Secretary who saw construction in some sections. The question is: whose funds are being used? They appear to be trying to make up for lost time," de Mesa explained.

The audit also identified four additional farm-to-market road projects with no recorded accomplishments during an October 2025 inspection.

The DA has forwarded the findings to the Office of the President and plans to submit the report to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for further investigation.

"All potential cases will be referred to the ICI, and the report will be submitted accordingly. Although implementation falls under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and not the DA, the funds came from the DA budget, so we must uphold accountability," de Mesa said.

De Mesa clarified that while the DA’s role involves identifying and validating project sites, it is not responsible for the projects' execution. The DPWH, as the implementing agency, holds liability for the uncompleted works, even if the budget originates from the DA.

"The DA’s involvement is limited to site identification and monitoring. The DPWH handles implementation and payment to contractors. Therefore, DA bears no liability since it is not a party to the contracts nor involved in payment approval," he added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. previously disclosed that P75 million worth of similar "ghost" farm-to-market roads were found elsewhere in Mindanao, though he emphasized these occurrences appear isolated.