House Committee Defers DPWH Budget Talks
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives committee on appropriations has postponed discussions on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposed budget for 2026. This decision came as the panel awaits the submission of an errata on several items in the National Expenditures Program (NEP).
The deferral highlights ongoing challenges in reviewing the DPWH budget, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for clarity before proceeding. The exact four word keyphrase “Department of Public Works and Highways” was central to the debate as members sought to fully understand the proposal.
Lawmakers Demand Clarifications and Errata Submission
During the committee hearing last Friday, a prominent representative from the Mamamayang Liberal party-list, Rep. Leila de Lima, filed two motions. First, she urged the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to urgently submit an errata addressing discrepancies and unclear items in the NEP. Second, she moved to defer the DPWH budget briefing until these issues are resolved.
These motions stemmed from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s admission that he himself finds the DPWH budget difficult to comprehend. Sources reported that the Secretary expressed confusion while reviewing the budget, which raised concerns among committee members about the transparency and accuracy of the proposed figures.
Secretary’s Admission Sparks Calls for Budget Review
“We heard the questions so far, and quite understandable, the good Secretary (is) finding difficulty in answering many questions, again very understandable, the Secretary said that he himself is confused in reviewing the DPWH budget […] So at this point Madam Chairperson, I’m compelled to present a motion for this committee to direct and compel DBM and DPWH to submit any errata, any amendment,” Rep. de Lima stated during the session.
Community members noted that this candid admission has intensified calls for thorough scrutiny. It reflects the complexity of the budget and the necessity for a clear breakdown to ensure accountability.
Deferral Aims to Ensure Transparent Budget Process
“In the meantime, we already have this problem. We don’t know how the DPWH budget would look like after the supposed DBM review alongside DPWH…As a consequence, I also move to defer or suspend the consideration of the budget hearing, on the proposed budget of DPWH, to a later date,” Rep. de Lima added.
Officials reported that the committee agreed to hold off further budget deliberations until the errata is submitted. This move aims to prevent any premature approval of potentially flawed data and to uphold the integrity of the budgeting process.
Next Steps for DPWH Budget Review
Local leaders emphasized the importance of this deferral as a necessary step to clarify budget allocations and ensure proper use of public funds. The DPWH and DBM are expected to collaborate closely to address the concerns raised and provide a corrected and transparent budget proposal.
As the committee awaits the updated documentation, the House remains focused on thorough and responsible budget evaluation. This process underscores the government’s commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility in public infrastructure spending.
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