Philippines linking rural farms to markets via steel bridges

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is undertaking a P27.7-billion program to build bridges for farms. These are for better access to agricultural products in rural areas and improve the lives of farmers and fishers.

The Economy and Development Council, chaired by President Marcos, approved the DA’s Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program (FMBDP). This would “significantly improve rural infrastructure and agricultural logistics,” the DA said in a statement on Monday.

The DA plans to build these 300 modular steel panel bridges starting 2026 up to 2029. These will be strategically placed across 52 provinces in 15 regions.

The agency focused on areas with high agricultural potential but limited road access in choosing the sites for the planned bridges. These are designed to enhance connectivity along farm-to-market roads and link farming communities to economic centers.

“This initiative also seeks to raise the income of farmers and fisherfolk by improving access to markets and ensuring the more efficient and cost-effective movement of goods and services,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

“The project is intended to promote more balanced regional development and strengthen the physical link between farming communities and local and regional markets,” the agency added.

‘Long-term support’ to farms

Of the total project cost, P22.15 billion will come from the French government via official development assistance. Meanwhile, the Philippine government will shoulder the remaining P5.54 billion.

“Our farmers and fisherfolk can expect continued oversight of this project to guarantee that timely and appropriate assistance reaches them,” Tiu Laurel added.

The sites were selected based on a framework created by the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering. It is the DA’s central arm for agricultural mechanization and infrastructure development.

“The Department has invested time and effort to ensure that the FMBDP is not just about building infrastructure across 15 regions. But about delivering long-term support to agricultural communities,” Tiu Laurel said.

The council approved the FMBDP during its June 18 meeting.

/rwd

(2025/06/24-02:01)