The Public Works department asked lawmakers on Sunday to restore about P45 billion cut from its 2026 budget, warning that the shortfall could slow construction The Public Works department asked lawmakers on Sunday to restore about P45 billion cut from its 2026 budget, warning that the shortfall could slow construction

DPWH wants P45-B back to keep projects moving

The Public Works department asked lawmakers on Sunday to restore about P45 billion cut from its 2026 budget, warning that the shortfall could slow construction activity and weigh further on an already cooling Philippine economy.

Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon was allowed to join a select group of senators and congressmen finalizing the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget — a rare move that underscored growing concerns that deep cuts to infrastructure funds could stall projects that have long propped up economic growth.

“We all know that in the past quarter, the economy only grew by 4%,” Mr. Dizon told members of the bicameral conference committee. “This is largely because of the cut in public expenditure, especially in infrastructure.”

He said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had ordered him both to crack down on overpriced construction materials and ensure infrastructure spending accelerates given its central role in job creation and economic activity.

Mr. Dizon’s appeal comes as the agency enforces stricter procurement rules to prevent inflated costing of materials — an issue at the center of a widening corruption scandal tied to anomalous flood-control contracts.

The controversy has implicated several politicians, officials and contractors in a multibillion-peso kickback scheme that has dented confidence in the administration and contributed to a pullback in public works spending since July.

Congress has since pared down the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget by hundreds of billions. The Senate’s version of the 2026 budget sets aside P570.8 billion for the agency, about 8.6% less than the P624.48 billion approved by the House of Representatives in October.

Earlier, congressmen cut P255 billion in flood-control allocations from the Executive’s proposed P880-billion infrastructure program, citing the investigations.

Mr. Dizon said the P45-billion restoration he is seeking would not revive any flood-control projects flagged in the kickback scheme. The money, he added, would instead support road, bridge and other infrastructure works risked by the Senate’s cuts.

“We request that we go back to the levels of the House General Appropriations bill, and let the DPWH implement the price adjustment to make sure that the deductions are correct and based per project,” he said. “It’s to make sure that the… integrity of the project is not compromised, and to make sure that they will still be implemented.”

The agency issued a department-wide order tightening procurement to prevent overpricing, Mr. Dizon said. Savings from lower materials costs, he added, would either be remitted to government coffers or redirected to other state programs at the President’s discretion. “Upon the President’s approval, it may be used to augment projects,” he said.

He also warned that several projects planned for 2026 would likely be delayed because the agency could not finalize allocations while potential adjustments to material pricing are still under review.

“Because early procurement was delayed, there are many projects for 2026 that will be delayed,” Mr. Dizon said. “We are not sure what projects will be passed by Congress.”

Scrutiny of next year’s national budget has intensified amid the scale of the alleged corruption in flood-control spending, fueling public protests and prompting lawmakers to adopt added transparency measures. These include livestreaming bicameral hearings that were traditionally held behind closed doors.

The bicameral conference committee must reconcile the Senate and House versions of the spending plan before transmitting the final budget to Malacañang for Mr. Marcos’ signature. Lawmakers will adjourn on Dec. 23 — later than originally planned — to ensure ratification of the appropriations bill.

Officials have until year-end to avoid a reenacted 2025 budget, which economists warn would further drag growth. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Market Opportunity
B Logo
B Price(B)
$0,23341
$0,23341$0,23341
+1,22%
USD
B (B) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Is Putnam Global Technology A (PGTAX) a strong mutual fund pick right now?

Is Putnam Global Technology A (PGTAX) a strong mutual fund pick right now?

The post Is Putnam Global Technology A (PGTAX) a strong mutual fund pick right now? appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. On the lookout for a Sector – Tech fund? Starting with Putnam Global Technology A (PGTAX – Free Report) should not be a possibility at this time. PGTAX possesses a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 4 (Sell), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective We note that PGTAX is a Sector – Tech option, and this area is loaded with many options. Found in a wide number of industries such as semiconductors, software, internet, and networking, tech companies are everywhere. Thus, Sector – Tech mutual funds that invest in technology let investors own a stake in a notoriously volatile sector, but with a much more diversified approach. History of fund/manager Putnam Funds is based in Canton, MA, and is the manager of PGTAX. The Putnam Global Technology A made its debut in January of 2009 and PGTAX has managed to accumulate roughly $650.01 million in assets, as of the most recently available information. The fund is currently managed by Di Yao who has been in charge of the fund since December of 2012. Performance Obviously, what investors are looking for in these funds is strong performance relative to their peers. PGTAX has a 5-year annualized total return of 14.46%, and is in the middle third among its category peers. But if you are looking for a shorter time frame, it is also worth looking at its 3-year annualized total return of 27.02%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame. It is important to note that the product’s returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund’s [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower. When looking at a fund’s performance, it…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 04:05
‘Love Island Games’ Season 2 Release Schedule—When Do New Episodes Come Out?

‘Love Island Games’ Season 2 Release Schedule—When Do New Episodes Come Out?

The post ‘Love Island Games’ Season 2 Release Schedule—When Do New Episodes Come Out? appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. LOVE ISLAND GAMES — Episode 201 — Pictured: Ariana Madix — (Photo by: Ben Symons/PEACOCK via Getty Images) Ben Symons/PEACOCK via Getty Images We’ve got a text! It’s time for another season of Love Island Games. With fan-favorites returning in hopes of winning the $250,000 cash prize, read on to learn more about Love Island Games Season 2, including the release schedule so you don’t miss a second of drama. Love Island Games is a spinoff in the Love Island franchise that first premiered in 2023. The show follows a similar format to the original series, but with one major twist: all contestants are returning Islanders from previous seasons of Love Island from around the world, including the USA, UK, Australia and more. Another big difference is that games take on much more importance in Love Island Games than the mothership version, with the results “determining advantages, risks, and even who stays and who goes,” according to Peacock. Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix is taking over hosting duties for Love Island Games Season 2, replacing Love Island UK star Maya Jama who hosted the first season. Iain Stirling returns as the show’s narrator, while UK alum Maura Higgins will continue to host the Saturday show Love Island: Aftersun. ForbesWho’s In The ‘Love Island Games’ Season 2 Cast? Meet The IslandersBy Monica Mercuri Jack Fowler and Justine Ndiba were named the first-ever winners of Love Island Games in 2023. Justine had previously won Love Island USA Season 2 with Caleb Corprew, while Jack was a contestant on Love Island UK Season 4. In March 2024, Fowler announced on his Instagram story that he and Justine decided to remain “just friends.” The Season 2 premiere revealed the first couples of the season: Andrea Carmona and Charlie Georgios, Andreina Santos-Marte and Tyrique Hyde,…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 04:50
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) Stock: Rises as Battery Cell Investment Expands at German Gigafactory

Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) Stock: Rises as Battery Cell Investment Expands at German Gigafactory

  TLDR TSLA trades near $485 after news of higher battery investment in Germany • Tesla targets up to 8 GWh of annual battery cell output by 2027 • Total cell factory
Share
Coincentral2025/12/17 04:37