By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – The Senate has flagged approximately PHP266 billion worth of infrastructure projects after discovering widespread documentation gaps and major funding changes in the House-approved 2027 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Senate Committee on Finance chairperson JV Ejercito on Monday disclosed that only 1,418 of the 16,244 projects under the proposed DPWH operations budget were accompanied by physical or digital supporting documents submitted to the chamber.
The remaining 14,826 projects, or 91.27 percent, had no supporting documents submitted to the committee at the time of its review.
“Our initial review has flagged about PHP266 billion worth of projects for further scrutiny and review,” Ejercito said during a consultation with civil society organizations on the proposed 2027 national budget.
The senator said the number of DPWH projects increased by 4,824, from 11,420 under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to 16,244 in the House-approved General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
A separate review also identified 23 line items worth PHP227.2 million that had received allocations under the 2026 General Appropriations Act but appeared again in the proposed 2027 budget.
The committee further flagged PHP20.5 billion in lump-sum line items requiring examination.
“These findings require clear explanations from the DPWH,” Ejercito said.
The absence of submitted documentation does not automatically indicate irregularities, but the committee wants the department to account for the projects’ necessity, funding requirements and supporting records before the Senate completes its budget review.
Major funding shifts
Ejercito also questioned the House’s redistribution of infrastructure allocations, particularly the substantial increase in smaller infrastructure programs alongside reductions in major foreign-assisted projects.
His presentation showed that the proposed DPWH budget increased by PHP11.49 billion, from PHP643.95 billion under the NEP to PHP655.44 billion in the House-approved GAB.
However, allocations under the DPWH Convergence and Special Support Program climbed by PHP74.14 billion, from PHP157.31 billion to PHP231.45 billion.
The program covers various infrastructure initiatives, including multipurpose buildings and other basic infrastructure projects.
In contrast, foreign-assisted projects suffered a PHP73-billion reduction, with their proposed funding falling from PHP117.75 billion to PHP44.75 billion.
The substantial changes raised concerns over the prioritization of locally funded infrastructure projects at the expense of major developments supported by international financing arrangements.
Ejercito stressed that infrastructure investments capable of generating employment, improving connectivity and strengthening economic competitiveness should receive sustained funding.
“I will really prioritize infrastructure development,” he said, warning that delays in major projects could further weaken the country’s ability to attract investments.
The senator said the finance committee had organized a dedicated team to conduct a line-by-line comparison of the executive’s original spending proposal and the House-approved version. (PNA)
DPWH BUDGET REVIEW. Senator JV Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, presides over a consultation meeting with civil society organizations on the proposed 2027 national budget at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday (Oct. 26, 2026). He reported that infrastructure projects worth approximately PHP266 billion under the proposed 2027 Department of Public Works and Highways budget have been flagged for further scrutiny. (Screengrab from Senate livestream)
