“`html
Manila, Philippines – January 26, 2024 – Forget shadowy deals and projects that vanish into thin air. The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) just launched FMR Watch, a new clarity portal designed to track the progress of farm-to-market roads-and, crucially, were billions of pesos are actually going.It’s a bold move, especially considering the current corruption scandal engulfing the Department of Public Works and Highways.
A New Era of Accountability for Rural Roads
Table of Contents
The DA’s FMR Watch aims to provide unprecedented public access to details on rural infrastructure projects, fostering transparency and accountability.
- This year,the DA has a P33-billion budget to build over 2,300 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.
- FMR Watch allows the public to search for specific projects, view budgets, and track progress from start to finish.
- the portal includes a livestreaming feature for bidding and procurement activities, and an E-report function for citizens to submit concerns.
- Data will be regularly updated and validated by the DA, with plans to include projects from other agencies.
What exactly *are* farm-to-market roads, and why should you care? These aren’t your interstate highways. FMRs are the gravel or paved connectors that link farms, fishing ports, and rural communities to major transportation networks. Without them, getting goods to market is a logistical nightmare, increasing costs for consumers and limiting income for farmers and fisherfolk.
Why the Push for Transparency?
The launch of FMR Watch comes at a critical time. The philippines has been plagued by infrastructure projects riddled with corruption, delays, and substandard work. The DA hopes this portal will deter such practices by shining a light on every stage of the FMR development process. “We want to expose it.”
How Does FMR Watch Work?
The portal consolidates data from the Agricultural and Biosystems engineering Management Information System, along with monitoring reports, budgets, geotagged photos, and even citizen feedback. Users can search for specific projects and access detailed information, including location, budget, contractor details, start and completion dates, and project status.A map visually displays each FMR project and the agricultural areas it supports-particularly those focused on rice, fisheries, and high-value crops.
The DA isn’t relying solely on internal data. They’ll be hiring third-party auditors to verify project completion and quality, and actively collaborating with farmer and fisherfolk groups to monitor progress. A livestreaming feature will allow the public to observe bidding and procurement processes, with recordings available for later viewing.
Reporting Concerns and Providing Feedback
Citizens can submit concerns or complaints through the website’s E-report feature, providing comments, photos, videos, or other evidence. Anonymous reports are accepted to encourage participation, though all submissions will be reviewed and validated by regional field offices. The DA aims to respond to reports within three days, depending on the complexity of the issue.
Currently, FMR Watch contains data from projects funded by the DA’s Farm-to-Market Road Development Plan. The DA plans to expand the portal to include projects under the Philippine Rural Development Plan, Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project, Sugar Regulatory Management, and the Philippine Coconut Authority. Other agencies and local government units can also partner with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) to onboard thier projects.
FMR Watch is accessible anywhere with an internet connection at fmrwatch.bafe.gov.ph. the BAFE, through its Information System and Digitalization Division, developed and manages the platform, with support from regional field offices.