Metro Manila, Philippines – The Public Works Department has reduced its 2026 proposed budget by P255 billion, scrapping the funding for all locally-funded flood control projects in the wake of investigations into the alleged corrupt practices.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Secretary Vince Dizon faced the House appropriations committee with his revised proposal, which now stands at P625.8 billion from P881.3 billion.
The House panel earlier extended the submission of the revised DPWH budget proposal to Sept. 15. The first DPWH budget deliberation was deferred to make way for the revision due to questionable items in the original proposal.
Dizon said the main highlight of the revision was President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to remove all locally-funded flood control projects, which amounted to P252 billion.He also told lawmakers his proposal is the lowest DPWH funding since 2020.“Hindi 100 percent perfect ang budget [the budget proposal is not a hundred percent perfect] given the limited timeframe but we feel this is really the best budget we can submit,” said Dizon.The public works chief said he also scrapped duplicate and completed projects, overlapping sections of road projects, rock netting, cats eye, and studs’ projects in the revised proposal. Senior House Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice expressed concern on defunding local flood control projects, saying it may be unfair for people long waiting on the program. Dizon said the zero budget would not necessarily mean there will be no flood control efforts, saying foreign assisted projects will continue and that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority can also carry out its own programs.“Dito sa locally funded dahil sa extent na nakita ng ating pangulo, tingin ko ang pinanggalingan niya ay dapat teka, huwag, muna at sa 2027 budget, ang utos na ng ating pangulo, gawin na natin ng tama,” he said. [Translation: Regarding the locally funded [projects], because of the extent that our President has seen, I think his position is to hold off for now and to do it properly in the 2027 budget.]The secretary also asked the Congress to reallocate the reduction to projects in agriculture, health care, housing, labor, social welfare, and information technology.
Higher funding for road infra projects
Meanwhile, Dizon said under the revised proposal, there will be a higher allocation for road and infrastructure projects. Rep. Brian Poe, FPJ Bayanihan party-list representative, raised if there are plans to upgrade project quality to avoid repetitive road reblockings.“Kasama po iyan sa repormang ini-introduce natin…Unfortunately sad to say yung quality ng marami sa ating roads is one thing,” said Dizon.[Translation: That is part of the reforms we are introducing… Unfortunately, sad to say, the quality of many of our roads is one issue.]Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña also questioned the P57-billion increase on the agency’s convergence and special support program, a project in collaboration and support of other government agencies.The DPWH chief said this was proposed by district and regional offices when consulted during the two-week budget review. “Moving forward itong budget proposals mula district paakyat ng regional paakyat sa central office e talagang responsive sa totoong pangangailangan ng community,” he said, noting that their budget process must be improved.[Translation: Moving forward, these budget proposals from the district level up to the regional and central offices should truly be responsive to the real needs of the community.]The appropriations panel has yet to decide on the fate of the DPWH budget.
