By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday commended the move of the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend three Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials for their alleged involvement in over PHP94 million worth of ghost farm-to-market (FMR) projects.
The preventive suspension, which is immediately executory upon service, was in relation to the complaint filed by the agency against the DPWH officials allegedly involved in eight questionable FMR projects in Davao Occidental.
In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed how crucial the delivery of FMR projects is in supporting Filipino farmers and fishers, as well as in advancing food security.
“For farm-to-market roads, these are our farmers and fisherfolk, whose faster access to markets means higher incomes, lower production costs, and stronger rural development,” he said.
In orders dated Sept. 21, the Ombudsman placed the three DPWH officials under preventive suspension pending the conclusion of proceedings, for not more than six months.
Other respondents, however, cannot be suspended as they had already left government service
On May 21, the DA filed charges against the three officials in relation to graft and corrupt practices, malversation, and falsification of public documents.
In one case, a project reported to be 100 percent completed was still under construction despite full payment released in 2023.
In another FMR account, the DA’s Internal Audit Service found no gravel pathways, indicating that the project had not been completed. (PNA)
