Audit of farm-to-market road projects sought By Ada Pelonia
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‘UNIFIED CITY AT 6’
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the audit of every farmto-market road (FMR) project since 2021 amid the ongoing clamor on controversial flood control works. The agency explained that even though FMR schemes are identified and validated by the DA, these road projects are commissioned, bid out, and constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). As such, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he is demanding transparency, quality, and results. “These roads are meant to connect production areas to mar-
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kets,” Laurel said. “With what is happening now in flood control projects, I ordered an audit of all FMR projects from 2021 to 2025. If there are any issues in these agricultural road projects, I will have to report that to President Marcos.” He said the FMR audit should be completed by the end of this year. “We must make sure they are done properly, that taxpayers’ money were spent to provide farmers with market access and not squandered for farm‑to‑pocket projects,” Laurel said. Citing the government’s roadmap, the DA said the target is to build 131,000 kilometers of FMRs to link farms with markets. Of this, the agency noted that around 70,000 kilometers have been completed, while about
AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. PNA PHOTO
61,000 kilometers are considered backlog or pending validation as of July. With this, Laurel called on lawmakers during the agency’s recent budget hearing to pass legislation that mandates a priority list for FMR projects. Such a move would
veer away from the arbitrary selection of where to build those roads, often merely to satisfy parochial concerns. As such, the DA chief recommended reviewing that priority list every three years to keep it aligned with agricultural needs. Despite this, the DA said funding remains a concern. For 2026, the agency has earmarked P16 billion for FMRs, which is far short of the P56 billion in pending requests from 2025 alone. To stretch resources, Laurel proposed redesigning road dimensions, such as narrower roadways of 3 meters instead of 5 meters, with shoulders every 300 meters to facilitate traffic movement. Such a move is expected to cut costs and build more roads faster.
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Friday, September 19, 2025 Vol. 20 No. 341
P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 24 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the strength and stability of the Philippine banking system was among the main factors for the favorable report from the Japan Credit Rating (JCR) Agency. JCR cited the country’s stable financial system as one of the key factors behind the Philippines’ sustained investment-grade credit rating of “A-” with a “stable” outlook. The agency also cited strong loan growth, lower non-performing loans ratio, and capital adequacy ratios that are “well above” both Philippine and international standards. “The BSP continues to implement policies that promote robust capitalization and sound risk management among banks. These support financial stability and further build confidence in the domestic financial system,” BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said in a statement. See “BSP,” A2
DELIVERING ACROSS THE LAKE
An online delivery rider documents parcels bound for Talim Island before dispatching them to clients. The process takes place at the Pritil Binangonan Passenger Terminal and seaport, a vital gateway located at the heart of Laguna Lake. BERNARD TESTA
Learning, using AI to enrich human lives–‘Arsi’ ‘CEBU FRONT AND CENTER OF PHL’S GROWTH STORY’ T
HE Philippines cannot afford to be a mere bystander as the world pivots to using and mastering Artificial Intelligence (AI) to curb corruption and address development challenges. In his Keynote Message at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan stressed that learning and using AI is not about replacing humans but enriching people’s lives. “Let us not remain spectators as the world advances. Let us lead with vision, build with purpose, and in-
novate with heart. Together, we can reimagine governance in the age of AI—and ensure that it works for every Filipino,” Balisacan said. Balisacan said the country’s adoption of AI remains saddled by fragmented governance across agencies; inconsistent data practices; and a workforce that is ill-prepared for an AI-driven economy. These challenges are preventing the country from using AI for good governance efforts such as detecting anomalies when it comes to procurement; reducing red tape; and preventing fraud. Balisacan said AI can also help the elderly through assistive technologies that enhance health care
and promote social inclusion and lifelong learning. “The recommendations are clear: build a unified national AI strategy, expand digital infrastructure, strengthen data governance, and develop human capital,” Balisacan said. “In other words, leadership, infrastructure, data, and talent must converge if we are to transform AI’s promise into practice,” he added. Balisacan said, however, that amid these challenges, much has already been accomplished. He noted that the country’s digital economy grew to P2.1 trillion in 2024 from P1.6 trillion in 2018. He added that last year, the
country climbed nine places in the Oxford Global AI Readiness Index, scoring 58.5, well above the global average of 47.6. Balisacan also said the government crafted the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy and aligned it with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028. The Department of Trade and Industry, he noted, also has an AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0 which established the Center for AI Research, while the Department of Education ensured that AI knowledge finds its way to Philippine schools. Further, the Department of Science and Technology has the
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
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ITH the Philippines’ strong economic footing and promising outlook, Cebu is poised to sharpen its edge as one of Asia’s premier outsourcing destinations and solidify its role as the country’s vital gateway for trade, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In his speech during the Phil-
ippine Economic Briefing attended by 500 business leaders and guests in Cebu on Thursday, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said Cebu is front and center of the Philippine growth story. “Central Visayas, where Cebu is the economic powerhouse, has been the fastest-growing regional economy in the country—expanding by 7.3 percent for two consecutive years,” Recto said, noting that this helped See “Cebu,” A2
See “Learning,” A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 56.8680 n JAPAN 0.3870 n UK 77.5054 n HK 7.3116 n CHINA 8.0031 n SINGAPORE 44.5081 n AUSTRALIA 37.8343 n EU 67.2009 n KOREA 0.0412 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.1587 Source: BSP (September 18, 2025)