Marcos wants ‘necessary changes’ in DPWH budget proposal
Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a “sweeping review” of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget proposal as submitted to Congress as the agency comes under fire for billions of pesos in alleged project irregularities.
Senators earlier raised multiple red flags in the agency’s budget proposal, and were exploring ways to defund questionable items, including the possibility of returning it to the agency for revision.
The DPWH spending has been pegged at P881.3 billion, or 13 percent of the P6.7-trillion budget plan for 2026.
Marcos directed Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to do the study.
“The president emphasized that the review must lead to the necessary changes to guarantee transparency, accountability, and the proper use of the people’s money, ensuring that resources are directed toward infrastructure projects that genuinely serve and benefit the Filipino people,” Malacañang said in a statement.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro also said the two Cabinet officials will be checking possible project duplications.
“Ang sabi ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management) hindi na maibabalik ang NEP sa kanila,” Castro explained. “Magkakaroon lang siguro ng mga erratum, iko-correct, ia-amend, tatanggalin, para mabigyan sila, ang Senado, ang Kongreso, ng listahan kung ano na ‘yong dapat hindi na ilagay.”
[Translation: The DBM said the NEP cannot be returned to them, so there may be errata, corrections, amendments, removals, to give the Senate and House of Representatives a list of items that must not be included.]
Castro also said that the Palace welcomes the suggestion of Senate President Chiz Escudero for Marcos to draw up a “negative list” of infrastructure projects that should no longer receive funding next year.
The DPWH is under close watch with the president himself taking a strong stand against blatant irregularities in flood control projects.
