Malacañang said Wednesday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed a sweeping review of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed budget under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to eliminate any duplication or unnecessary insertion of project funding.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited information from House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcy Teodoro that the proposed budget included allocations for already completed DPWH projects.
“Kaya po ang DBM (Department of Budget and Management), pati po ang DPWH ay bubusisiin po ito talaga. Kung totoo bang nagkaroon ng mga duplication, nagkaroon ng insertion. Dapat po kasi matanggal ito through errata,” Castro said in a briefing.
She added it was also possible that some previously funded projects received new allocations under the 2026 NEP because they were being implemented in phases. “Baka naman talagang walang duplication, baka iba’t ibang phase lang siya. Pero kung mayroon talagang duplication, iyon po talaga ang bubusisiin ng DBM and DPWH,” she said.
The President directed DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to lead the review, stressing the need to safeguard public funds.
“The President emphasized that the review must lead to the necessary changes to guarantee transparency, accountability, and the proper use of the people’s money, ensuring that resources are directed toward infrastructure projects that genuinely serve and benefit the Filipino people,” the PCO said.
Depending on the results of the review, Castro said the DPWH’s proposed 2026 budget may be corrected or amended, with Congress to be informed of which projects and allocations should be excluded from next year’s budget.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
