MANILA – Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon vowed to overhaul the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed ₱881.3-billion budget for 2026 after lawmakers flagged duplicate funding and questionable allocations, including appropriations for projects already completed.
“Inutusan na po ako ng ating Pangulo, at kung kinakailangan baguhin ang buong budget ng DPWH… ‘Yan po ay gagawin ko at sasabihin ko po ‘yun sa ating members of Congress,” Dizon said ahead of the House Committee on Appropriations’ budget deliberations.
He admitted that red flags were valid, citing House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Cong. Ronaldo Puno’s observation that the National Expenditure Program (NEP) included funding for finished infrastructure projects while leaving out some ongoing flood control works.
“Kung completed na ‘yan, hindi na dapat pondohan ‘yan. Hindi dapat may double entry… kaya hihingi ako ng panahon sa ating honorable Committee on Appropriations,” Dizon said.
The Secretary asked Congress for a one-week extension to review and correct the entries: “Hihingi ako ng panahon. Kahit isang linggo manlang para repasuhin ito at ayusin, at kung kinakailangan bawasan.”
He also pledged to delete questionable items: “As much as possible yung mga pinoint out na red flags ng ating Kongreso ay buburahin.”
Asked about possible fund realignments, particularly for flood control initiatives, Dizon said he was “amenable to everything.”
Malacañang earlier signaled that the review of the DPWH budget could set a precedent for scrutinizing other departments’ funding proposals if similar irregularities surface./PN
