By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has dismissed concerns that the proposed uniform P180 million allocation for evacuation centers in each of the country’s 17 regions could be turned into a political funding mechanism ahead of the 2028 elections.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said the government has safeguards to detect projects that are funded on paper but never actually built, amid questions raised over the proposed 2027 budget.
“The President does not want ghost projects to happen anymore,” Castro said.
The Palace was responding to concerns raised by Sen. Panfilo Lacson over the proposed P180-million allocation per region for the construction of Ligtas Pinoy Centers under the 2027 National Expenditure Program.
Lacson had questioned why the proposed budget did not identify the specific locations of the evacuation centers and warned that the lump-sum allocations could potentially be used by politicians positioning themselves for the 2028 national elections.
Castro, however, cited the Department of Budget and Management’s explanation that the absence of specific sites in the 2027 NEP does not mean the projects could be located arbitrarily.
“The purpose, number, cost, and implementing framework are already defined. The specific sites are being finalized through the legally mandated prioritization process,” the DBM said in a statement read by Castro.
Under Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in coordination with local governments and other concerned agencies, is responsible for identifying and prioritizing sites for the centers.
The Department of Public Works and Highways will implement the projects.
The DBM said proposed sites must undergo assessment based on disaster risks, topography, available land and the needs of local communities.
For 2027, the government plans to build two Ligtas Pinoy Centers in each region, with P90 million allocated for each facility, bringing the proposed regional allocation to P180 million.
The DBM said the funding level was based on the program’s five-year implementation plan and would cover site development as well as adjustments required by varying site conditions.
The site-selection process is already underway.
According to the DBM, the DPWH formally requested from the Office of Civil Defense on Aug. 10 a prioritized list of potential sites to ensure that the projects are properly identified before implementation.
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