The Department of Public Works asked lawmakers on Sunday to restore the nearly P45 billion cut in their 2026 budget, warning that the shortfall could slow down the already booming Philippine economy.
Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon was allowed to join the select group of senators and congrillions that finalized the raised concern of P6.793-Trillion
“We all know that last quarter, the economy only grew by 4%,” Mr. Dizon told members of the Bee Conference Committee. “This is because public spending has been decided, especially on infrastructure.”
He said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, JR. he ordered him both to crack down on financialized construction materials and ensure the use of infrastructure to accelerate its leading role in economic activities.
Mr. Dizon’s appeal comes as the agency stalls the formation of strict property laws to protect the reduced cost of construction materials – a problem at the heart of corruption software tied to flood control agreements.
The controversy has implicated many politicians, officials and contractors in the bultibillion-peso project that has kicked the confidence of the administration and contributed to the rollback of public works since July.
Congress has since cut the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget of hundreds of billions. The Senate version of the 2026 budget set aside P570.8 billion for the agency, about 8.6% less than the P624.48 billion approved by the House of Representatives in October.
Earlier, Congressmen cut P255 billion in flood infrastructure from the proposed P880 billion flood infrastructure program.
Mr. Dizon said the P45-billion recovery he wants cannot be renewed with any flood control projects flagged in the Kickback program. The money, he added, will instead support road, bridge and other infrastructure works at risk of Senate cuts.
“We ask that we go back to the levels of the General Allocation of the Bill, and let the DPWH use the price adjustment to make sure that the reduction is fair and based on each project,” he said. “It will make sure that the … The integrity of the project has not been compromised, and make sure that it will still be done.”
The agency issued a comprehensive departmental order that tightens the purchase price to prevent overspending, said Mr. Dizon. Savings from lower manufacturing costs, he added, can be derived from government coffers or redirected to other State programs at the discretion of the President. “With the approval of the president, it can be used to increase the number of projects,” he said.
He also warned that several projects scheduled for 2026 could be delayed because the agency could not finalize their allocations while possible changes in material prices are being reviewed.
“Because pre-purchases were delayed, there are many 2026 projects that will be delayed,” said Mr. Dizon. “We are not sure which projects will be passed by Congress.”
Scrutinizing the next national budget is right between the scale of the fraud shown by the flood in the use of the flood, encouraging public protests and pushing lawmakers to use additional measures. This includes live hair talks that were traditionally held behind closed doors.
The Industrial Conference Committee must review the senate and house versions of the spending plan before forwarding the final budget to Malacañang for Mr. Marcos’ signature. The lawyers will adjourn on December 23 – After it was originally planned – to ensure the confirmation of the payment of the distribution of money.
Authorities are weighing until year after year to avoid the 2025 renewable budget, which economists warn will continue to grow. – Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
