House Eyes Budget Realignment to Boost Infrastructure Spending

The House of Representatives is eyeing an increase in infrastructure spending for 2027, with lawmakers considering the realignment of funds from other agencies with low utilization to help boost the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget. Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo S. Momo, Sr., vice-chairperson for the Committee on Appropriations, said on Wednesday that the chamber is looking at ways to increase infrastructure spending, particularly for the DPWH. “Aside from increasing infrastructure funds, we should also be prepared to increase spending or accelerate the release and implementation of funds that are already appropriated,” Mr. Momo said in a press briefing. Quezon Rep. Reynante U. Arrogancia, also vice-chairperson, said that lawmakers are studying agencies that also implement infrastructure projects to determine whether funds with low utilization could be realigned to the DPWH. “We’re going to look for the agencies that has infrastructure project,” Mr. Arrogancia said in mixed English and Filipino. The committee would examine the utilization of these agencies’ previous appropriations before deciding whether funds could be transferred, stressing that no specific agency has yet been identified as the source, he said. Mr. Momo said any funds realigned to the DPWH would not be taken from education, health and social services. The lawmakers said additional infrastructure spending could help stimulate economic activity by creating jobs, supporting household income and improving the movement of the people and goods. The push for higher infrastructure spending comes amid continued scrutiny of DPWH projects following the flood control projects scandal. Safeguards are already being applied before projects are included in the proposed budget, including certificates of implementability, programs of work and geotagged project-site documentation. — Pexcel John Bacon