MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday started its briefing on the proposed P644 billion budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The agency’s allocation is the second biggest in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
It includes the P107.4 billion intended for flood control projects. Funding for flood mitigation was scrapped in the 2026 General Appropriations Act following the multibillion-peso corruption in 2025, which led to the filing of criminal charges against several former and incumbent lawmakers and DPWH executives.
Lanao Del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the agency’s spending plan would undergo strict scrutiny, as well as the other departments to ensure public funds would be utilized for their intended use.
“The budgets of all agencies, not just the DPWH. What is being done right now is a briefing, after which it will be presented to the committee,” Adiong told the Manila Times in Filipino.
“We need specific data as to the allocation per program and per infrastructure programs and what are the big-ticket infrastructures that are to be maintained and rehabilitated. So, we need exact data,” he added.
Apart from the DPWH, the spending plans of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Migrant Workers are also simultaneously up for review.
