MANILA — The government is tightening scrutiny of infrastructure projects as it proposes a P1.47-trillion infrastructure budget for 2027, a P178-billion increase from this year, with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assuring that safeguards are in place to prevent waste, duplication and irregular spending.
The proposed infrastructure allocation, equivalent to about 4.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, is 13.8 percent higher than the P1.29 trillion provided under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Of the P1.47-trillion infrastructure program, P643.95 billion is earmarked for projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The DBM said Thursday that infrastructure proposals included in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) underwent evaluation and validation before being incorporated into the spending plan.
Agencies were required to submit supporting documents, with proposed projects assessed based on their alignment with national and regional priorities, implementation readiness, project maturity, previous budget utilization and absorptive capacity, and expected economic and social benefits.
Depending on the nature of the project, agencies may be required to provide feasibility studies, detailed engineering documents, procurement plans, right-of-way arrangements, permits and clearances, as well as certifications showing that proposed projects do not duplicate existing initiatives.
The DBM said it also evaluated the spending capacity and previous fund utilization of implementing agencies to determine whether the proposed allocations could realistically be used within the budget year.
Even after inclusion in the national budget, projects will remain subject to government procurement, accounting, auditing, monitoring and transparency requirements during implementation.
Projects requiring regional coordination also pass through the Regional Development Council process to ensure consistency with regional development plans and consultation with concerned local governments and national agencies, according to the DBM.
The department said the increased infrastructure spending is intended to improve connectivity, reduce transportation and logistics costs, generate employment and stimulate economic activity across the regions.
Among the major projects proposed for funding are the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network, Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, Davao City Bypass, Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road, and the fourth phase of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project.
The Laguna Lakeshore Road Network has the largest proposed allocation among the major projects at P35.21 billion. The 37.6-kilometer road, supported by the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund, will connect Lower Bicutan and Calamba and is targeted for completion in 2028.
The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is proposed to receive P22.49 billion. The project involves the construction of a 32.15-kilometer, four-lane bridge across Manila Bay connecting Mariveles, Bataan, and Naic, Cavite.
Another P11.96 billion is proposed for the first package of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, a Japan-assisted 45.5-kilometer, four-lane road targeted for completion in 2028.
The Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road project is proposed to receive P8.57 billion. It covers a 3.34-kilometer bridge and a 5.34-kilometer coastal road in Mandaue, with completion targeted for 2030.
Meanwhile, P8.54 billion is proposed for the fourth phase of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, covering works along the Middle Marikina River and improvements to the Manggahan Control Gate and floodgates connected to the Cainta and Taytay rivers.
The DBM stressed that the government’s objective is not merely to spend more on infrastructure, but to ensure that taxpayer money goes to projects capable of delivering measurable economic and social benefits./PN
