DBM releases P1.6 B for farm-to-market roads

MANILA, Philippines - The Budget department has disbursed P1.6 billion to the Agriculture department to construct, repair and rehabilitate farm-to-market roads nationwide.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the move was in line with the Aquino administration’s goal to ensure that ordinary Filipinos would benefit from economic growth.

“The development of farm-to-market roads will help expand our farmers’ capacity to sell their goods and gain access to a larger commercial base,” Abad said in a statement.  

“This is part of our strategy of investing heavily in agriculture in line with the Aquino administration’s goal of sustaining the country’s gains and making growth more inclusive,” he added.

The Philippine economy expanded by 6.6 percent in 2012, exceeding the government’s forecast of five to six percent growth.

While the growth was higher than the 3.7 percent posted in 2011, critics noted that the economic gains have not trickled down to the poor and have not created enough jobs.

Of the released amount, P1.38 billion came from continuing appropriations under the 2012 budget.

Southern Luzon will receive the highest allocation of P394.75 million, while Bicol and Western Visayas will get P160 million and P151 million, respectively.

“All other regions will likewise benefit from the fund release,” Abad said.

The remaining P214.33 million will be sourced from savings generated by the Agriculture department’s regional field units and transferred to identified field units that need more funds.

Abad said the release would allow the Agriculture department to develop new roads that would open up fresh routes for trade and commerce.

“Greater access to public markets will help minimize the risk of crop and food spoilage, which used to be aggravated by longer and inefficient transport routes,” he said.

– With Zinnia de la Peña