Senator Erwin Tulfo raised concerns over the P33-billion budget for farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in 2026, a P17-billion increase from the original proposal, citing lack of clear safety safeguards in its implementation.
Speaking at the Bicameral Conference Committee meeting on the 2026 budget, Tulfo warned the public might see the FMR hike as a replacement for flood control projects, which are absent from the 2026 budget.
“It’s P33 billion, Mr. Chair, that’s not a joke. It’s a big amount of money,” according to him.
He said this could raise suspicions that issues tied to flood control spending may simply be shifted to FMRs.
Senator Pia Cayetano added that the FMR budget could reach as high as P43 billion if P11 billion in unreleased 2025 funds are included, noting the amount is nearly triple the original P16-billion allocation and that a master plan has yet to be finalized.
House Appropriations Chair Mika Suansing said an extensive master plan exists, though some remote areas are still not covered.
Senator Loren Legarda stressed that FMRs should be implemented based on actual need—such as population and land area—and not by congressional districts.
Tulfo reiterated his call for firm guarantees on safety measures, stressing that P33 billion is a huge amount and warning that the absence of flood control funds could further fuel public distrust.IMT
