The Department of Agriculture (DA) has cleared more than PHP2.06 billion worth of farm-to-market road and bridge projects for implementation, accelerating infrastructure investments aimed at lowering logistics costs and improving market access for farmers and fisherfolk.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the projects, funded largely through the World Bank-supported Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) Scale-Up, cover more than 66 kilometers of roads and 310 linear meters of bridges in Zambales, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Bukidnon, and North Cotabato.
The approval comes as the government ramps up efforts to strengthen the country’s agri-food supply chain, where inadequate rural infrastructure continues to drive up transport costs, contribute to post-harvest losses, and weaken farmers’ competitiveness.
“These projects are very crucial to our agri-food systems,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that the package includes long farm-to-market roads, with the longest stretching as far as 26 kilometers, along with bridges that connect farming communities to markets.
For the agriculture chief, the bridges are the most transformative component of the program because they replace river crossings that often become impassable or dangerous during bad weather. “I’m sure these projects will improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolk, lower their expenses, and give them better access to markets,” he said.
The PRDP Scale-Up’s infrastructure package also includes irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities, reflecting the DA’s strategy of strengthening the entire agricultural value chain rather than addressing individual bottlenecks.
Tiu Laurel said the PRDP Scale-Up remains one of the government’s most demanding foreign-assisted programs because it adheres to stringent World Bank standards. Nevertheless, he said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed agencies to accelerate implementation because the projects are urgently needed in rural communities.
The DA is targeting the award of all remaining PRDP projects before the end of the year.
Tiu Laurel also thanked the World Bank for its continued confidence in Philippine agriculture, noting that the lender has expressed interest in expanding its support as the program delivers results. He urged local government units to continue preparing projects that meet World Bank standards to speed up future approvals.
With more infrastructure projects moving into construction, the DA is betting that improved farm connectivity, modern post-harvest facilities, and improved irrigation will strengthen food supply chains, raise rural productivity, and ultimately help ease pressure on food prices.
