“The recent controversy surrounding flood control projects underscores why we need a strong safeguards system,” Tiu Laurel said.
“We cannot afford gray areas or blind spots. This watchdog unit ensures that every DA project is transparent, accountable, and fully aligned with environmental and social standards.”
The DA faces a tremendous undertaking: the national FMR roadmap identifies 131,000 kilometers of needed rural roads, yet more than 60,000 kilometers remain unbuilt.
These roads are essential for lowering logistics costs, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring smoother movement of produce from farms to markets.
Beyond roads: Expanding agri infrastructure
The DA is also building out supporting infrastructure, including food hubs, cold storage facilities, and rice mills.
Additional support is expected from France, which has pledged to fund around 300 steel bridges in 52 provinces to improve access for remote farming communities.
Oversight will now be strengthened under the DA’s newly formed Interim Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit, created through an administrative directive.
The unit institutionalizes safeguards tools first developed under the World Bank–supported Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), such as environmental assessments, social risk reviews, and stakeholder engagement protocols.
What the SES unit will do
Tiu Laurel said the SES Unit will craft a department-wide safeguards roadmap, harmonize standards, integrate safeguards into planning and procurement, and ensure compliance with national regulations and development-partner requirements.
A nationwide network of safeguards officers will oversee implementation at central and regional levels.
The unit will coordinate with agencies including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, as well as financing partners like the World Bank and IFAD.
The World Bank earlier recommended establishing permanent safeguards roles under PRDP Scale-Up to ensure continuity.
Strengthening nationwide oversight
At the national level, the SES Unit will be led by a supervisor and senior specialists, while regional field offices will create their own teams led by junior specialists.
Tiu Laurel said this strengthened structure is key as the DA accelerates “sustainable, accountable, and community-protective” agricultural development.
With billions of pesos in rural infrastructure projects underway, the department aims to minimize environmental risks, protect communities, and close long-standing compliance gaps.
The administrative order takes effect immediately. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
