DPWH Budget Overhaul Faces Tight Deadline
MANILA — Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon recently acknowledged the challenges in revising the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposed budget for 2026. Despite pledging a thorough DPWH budget overhaul, Dizon admitted it would be impossible to start from scratch and produce a flawless proposal within a week.
Following the deferral of the DPWH budget discussions by the House committee on appropriations, Dizon explained that the process of crafting a new budget requires detailed internal consultations within the department. Sources said this internal deliberation is crucial to address the many issues uncovered.
Internal Discussions Key to Budget Revision
“I think internal ang magiging usapan dito, internal sa DPWH. So, kailangan, maghanap tayo ng mabilis na paraan, kasi may deadline tayo ng September 12. Pero ang importante dito, tingin ko, hindi magiging perpekto itong budget na dito,” Dizon told officials during a press briefing.
He emphasized that starting from zero is not an option due to time constraints and the risk of stalling the entire government’s budget process. “Hindi kasi tayo pwede magsimula sa zero, wala tayong oras para do’n, hindi natin pwede ng i-hold ang buong budget ng gobyerno dahil lang sa DPWH,” he added.
Prioritizing Critical Budget Corrections
Community members reported that Dizon intends to prioritize corrections in key areas, notably flood control projects, which are of utmost importance. He also highlighted the need to eliminate double entries and address the problematic phasing of projects designed to meet district-level funding thresholds.
“So, ang importante dito, magpa-prioritize tayo ng mga kailangan nating ayusin, at number one d’yan flood control. Pero marami ding mga iba na kailangan ding ayusin, halimbawa ’yong mga double entry, ’yong mga sinabi kanina na phasing, phasing, phasing, para lang umabot do’n sa district level,” he said.
Moreover, completed projects that continue to receive funding will be removed, a move seen as essential to prevent misuse of resources. “’Yong mga kumpreto na, na pinondohan pa rin, lahat ’yon kailangang alisin,” Dizon stressed.
Uncertainty Over Budget Cuts
Despite the identified flaws, Dizon refrained from confirming whether the DPWH budget would face cuts. “Hindi ko pa na masaasabi ’yan, hindi ko pa masasabi […] mahirap po akong magsabi ngayon, kasi kailangan aralin ito,” he explained, underscoring the need for thorough study before drawing conclusions.
He reiterated that the 2026 budget should remain a top priority moving forward.
House Committee Defers DPWH Budget Hearing
During the House appropriations committee hearing last Friday, Representative Leila de Lima from the Mamamayang Liberal party-list filed two motions: one to compel the DPWH and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to submit errata on questionable budget items, and another to defer the DPWH budget briefing.
De Lima’s motions stemmed from Dizon’s admission that he is still grappling with the complexities of the DPWH budget despite his government experience. Committee chairperson, Representative Mikaela Suansing, approved both motions after they were seconded by panel members.
Suansing clarified that the committee aims to conclude hearings and proceed to plenary discussions by mid-September. She requested the DPWH to submit their revised budget by September 12 to allow members sufficient time for review. Dizon assured adherence to this deadline.
Dizon Vows Collaborative Budget Revision
At the hearing’s start, Dizon declined to defend the current budget due to the department’s pending review. Instead, he committed to working closely with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to revise and overhaul the proposed 2026 budget as needed.
This commitment followed lawmakers’ discovery of multiple errors in the DPWH’s budget items under the 2026 National Expenditures Program (NEP).
Wider Budget Issues Spark Calls for Review
Concerns escalated after Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno revealed that completed projects in Marikina’s district were reportedly still allocated funds. This prompted Puno to investigate his own district’s allocations, uncovering missing projects in the NEP.
Party leaders later found similar budget irregularities in other agencies, leading to recommendations to return the NEP to the DBM for revision. However, these proposals were withdrawn after Dizon and Pangandaman pledged cooperation with the House to address the issues promptly.
For more news and updates on DPWH budget overhaul, visit Filipinokami.com.
