DA unit seen lacking powers to enforce compliance in farm infra

QUESTIONS have been raised about the Department of Agriculture's (DA) new oversight unit for agricultural infrastructure, which analysts said could lack the authority or resources to ensure that works undertaken by the DA are compliant and scandal-free.

- By Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

The interim Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit, formed under Department Order 22, is tasked with integrating environmental and social standards into all DA infrastructure projects after the department takes over farm-to-market road (FMR) projects next year from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Jesus Enrique A. Africa, executive director of think tank IBON Foundation, told BusinessWorld that the new SES unit risks becoming ineffective without adequate funding and clearer accountability mechanisms.

"Design-wise, the proposal seems well-intentioned but is actually structurally weak with some substantial gaps. Funding is uncertain and likely going to be insufficient. Funding being charged to 'available funds' is a red flag because this means no dedicated new budget line, no new staffing positions, and no boost in MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) budgets," he said via Viber.

He added that the SES has no enforcement powers to suspend projects, require design changes or impose sanctions.

"An underfunded unit with no enforcement powers that can't even mobilize public pressure strongly risks irrelevance and being a mere paper mill," he said.

Roehlano M. Briones, senior research fellow at the state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, also raised concerns about compliance.

"The risk of noncompliance is there ... Best we can hope for is that the opinion of the SES is taken seriously by top management so that the entire rank and file will do their best for compliance," Mr. Briones told BusinessWorld via Viber.

Mr. Africa also cautioned that the effectiveness of the SES will be influenced by broader accountability across government.