DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GENERAL GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (FMRDP) I. INTRODUCTION The Department of Agriculture (DA) is mandated to undertake various infrastructure projects such as, but not limited to, construction, restoration and rehabilitation of irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities and farm-to-market roads (FMRs) aimed at providing better opportunity to farmers and fisherfolk by reducing the cost of production and thereby increasing their incomes and also making food more affordable to the general public. II. COVERAGE The General Guidelines shall cover rural roads infrastructure that act or function as access roads to production areas and are not otherwise classified as national, provincial, city or municipal. The said Guidelines will cover FMR projects under the DA Farm-To-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) utilizing its Regular Fund FMR projects under the DA-FMRDP are identified by DA and implemented either by Local Government Units (LGUs), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and DA-Regional Field Units (RFUs) and other implementing government agencies. The FMRDP includes the construction of new barangay roads/ road openings and upgrading/improvement of existing FMRs. A. Policy Guidelines 1. The proposed FMR projects must meet the following selection and prioritization criteria: a) It shall be located within key production areas, marginal lands or new lands under convergence initiatives which link these areas to higher road class system: primary assembly areas and major markets/trading posts, fishlanding sites, fishing ports, fishpond/fishcage areas and mariculture zones, post-harvest facilities and processing zones/industries; b) The FMR shall prioritize the conveyance of goods and services within the identified Strategic Agricultural and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZs), or within the identified convergence initiative areas of the DA, DAR, and DENR to the markets and trading posts; c) Also, it may be located within the areas identified as poverty alleviation and as very vulnerable areas in line with the hunger mitigating measures of the government or within the armed-conflict areas; d) It shall be located in areas where directed agricultural development programs and projects through Private Public Partnerships (PPP) and Foreign Assisted Projects (FAPs) are implemented which are included in the local government development plans; e) Road links requiring tramlines and other agriculture-related infrastructure projects including farm bridges that are distinctly different from the bridges being constructed by DPWH are included in the FMRDP; f) Roads situated in areas as described in Item 1, a) or new lands under convergence initiatives and within SAFDZs that were previously constructed or upgraded/improved but were damaged by calamities requiring upgrading/improvement works; g) Proposed FMR projects shall facilitate/promote the development of agri-tourism provided these areas are within influence area; h) Roads located in key production areas, or new lands under convergence initiatives and within SAFDZs with low FMR network density; i) The proposed FMR link should serve the local economy at large; j) The recommended type of pavement is concreting in compliance to the Presidential Directive No.10-C0085 to do away with road graveling FMR projects and replace them with quality road construction that would last longer. As such, concreting works should be done according to existing construction standards and subject to quality inspection; k) To promote efficient project management, partner LGUs shall apply the geo-tagging technology before, during and after project implementation and shall be required to provide their own geo-tagging equipment; l) All right-of-way (ROW) issues including the payment to the property owners shall be adequately addressed and settled by concerned LGU where the proposed FMR is located; and m) Construction of FMRs shall be a priority investment of the LGUs which shall provide a counterpart fund of not less than ten percent (10%) of the project cost subject to their IRA level as stipulated in Section 52 of RA 8435 also known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA). B. Execution of Projects 1. Approval of Project Proposals and Designation of Implementing Partner: a) DA as lead agency, shall identify priority locations of FMR projects in coordination with the local government units and the resident farmers and fisherfolk and consolidate these roads to DA FMR Network Plan. b) The DA-RFUs shall evaluate proposed FMR projects using PAES prescribed template as per DA AO No. 28, Series of 2009 and BOAE Resolution Engineering No. 1 Series of 2009. c) The DA-RFUs shall submit the validated proposals to the Office of the Secretary thru the Office of the Undersecretary for Operations. d) Proposals to be submitted to DBM shall be subject to review of the /Undersecretary for Operations and for the approval of the Secretary. e) Based on the assessment of the DA-RFUs and in consultation with the proponents, the Farm-to-Market Road Projects for current year may be implemented through any of the following implementing agencies/partners, as appropriate: e.1. The Provincial/ City/Municipal Government- through MOA and by contract or administration; e.2. DPWH- through MOA and by contract or administration; e.3. DA-RFU- by contract; and e.4. Other implementing agencies- through MOA and by contract or administration. f) Parameters for assessment of Implementing Partners shall include: capacity/capability, track records, readiness, absorptive capacity and preferably with Seal of Good Housekeeping. 2. Role and Responsibilities of the Parties: a. The DA shall: a.1. Validate the proposed FMR using the prescribed template with location/vicinity map; a.2. Prioritize and evaluate the proposed FMR projects using PAES prescribed template as prescribed in DA AO No.28, Series of 2009 and BOAE Resolution Engineering No.1, Series of 2009; a.3. Evaluate, review and concur DED/POW prepared by DPWH/LGU and other implementing agencies; a.4. Monitor and validate the implementation and timely completion of the project; a.5. Implement the project in accordance with RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) for procurement and in compliance to COA circulars on accreditation, contract; fund transfers and liquidation reports; and a.6. May act as observer to bidding conducted by LGU/DPWH and other implementing partners. b. The DPWH/LGU/Other Implementing Agencies shall: b.1. On the basis of the prioritized list submitted by the DA, LGUs/Other Implementing Agencies, DPWH through its District Engineering Offices (DEOs), prepare the detailed engineering design (DED), cost estimates and program of work (POW) and other supporting documents for each project /road segment based on Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES) Volume VI/ DPWH’s Standards on FMRs; and Duly concurred by DA-RFU; b.2. Regularly monitor the implementation and timely completion of the project; b.3. Inform the DA-RFU in the completion of the project for the conduct of joint inspection; b.4. Submit monthly physical and financial accomplishment reports to DA-RFU; b.5. Submit Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Acceptance from the Head of the implementing agency and COA; b.6. Put up billboards as per COA Circular No. 2013-004 dated January 13, 2013; and b.7. Implement the project in accordance with RA 9184 and conduct bidding and comply with COA circular and submit monthly progress reports and audited financial reports. For LGU implemented projects, the required counterpart for project implementation shall be provided. III. RESOLUTION OF ISSUES All issues and concerns pertaining to this General Guidelines on the implementation of FMRDP shall be forwarded to, acted and resolved by the Office of the Secretary. IV. EFFECTIVITY This General Guidelines on the implementation of Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) shall take effect immediately.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 05:43:48 +0000
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