DPWH 2026 Budget Proposal Faces Immediate Review
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will submit its corrected 2026 budget proposal to Congress within two weeks, officials reported. This move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure transparency and accountability in the proposed budget.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed their commitment to a thorough review of the DPWH 2026 budget proposal. They said this sweeping revision aims to address concerns raised about the inclusion of completed projects and last-minute allocations in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Collaboration Between Departments to Ensure Accuracy
During a press briefing at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) central office in Manila, Pangandaman emphasized the executive branch’s willingness to cooperate with Congress. “The executive branch is very much willing to work with the Congress to make sure that our budget will be fixed, and the General Appropriations Act (GAA) will be enacted by the end of the year,” she stated.
Secretary Dizon, on only his third day in office, acknowledged the complexity of the task ahead. “This will not be that simple. We need to observe proper processes, coordinate with the regional offices and implementing units of the DPWH,” he said. Although he has yet to review the full 700-page budget proposal, he assured the two-week timeframe is sufficient for the necessary corrections.
Focused Review on Questioned Budget Items
Dizon explained that the review will prioritize items flagged by lawmakers rather than examining each line item individually. “We do not need to go on each of the line items of the DPWH. We can start on all the items being questioned by our lawmakers,” he remarked.
According to Pangandaman, returning the NEP to the executive branch for revision is unprecedented in DBM’s history. Before the deadline, the DBM will submit an errata listing all modifications made to the DPWH’s budget.
Congressional Concerns Prompt Budget Return
Local leaders noted that party leaders in the House of Representatives recommended sending the 2026 NEP back to the DBM due to numerous issues related to DPWH allocations. Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno explained, “There are other concerns, very many concerns that have been raised in our party leaders meeting. So we have decided as a group to recommend the return of the 2026 national budget to the DBM because we do not know how to deal with it.”
Preventing Delays and Economic Impact
The DBM is preparing for the possibility that Congress might not be fully satisfied with the review, which could delay the budget approval process. A failure to pass the new budget before year-end may result in a reenacted budget, meaning the government would continue operating with the previous year’s allocations.
Pangandaman warned about the risks of such a scenario, stating, “We don’t want to disrupt the trajectory of our economy. We want it to accelerate, especially in these last three years of President Marcos.” She highlighted concerns that a reenacted budget could cause an economic downturn.
For more news and updates on DPWH 2026 budget proposal, visit Filipinokami.com.
