By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — A budget watchdog has called on the Senate to scrutinize infrastructure additions worth ₱190 billion in the House-approved 2027 spending bill, warning that projects without adequate documentation could expose public funds to waste and irregularities.
People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) co-convener Adolfo Jose Montesa said lawmakers should examine whether the proposed projects are ready for implementation and consistent with government infrastructure plans.
The coalition’s review also raised concerns over ₱130 billion in cuts to foreign-assisted projects, including the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway, Laguna Lakeshore Road Network and Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Basic Infrastructure Program received ₱72 billion in additional allocations, mainly for multipurpose buildings and access roads.
The PBC also reported reductions affecting classrooms, health supplies and disaster-related funding, while identifying ₱1.06 trillion in budget items it classified as red flags.
The coalition presented its findings to Senate leaders as the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget undergoes legislative scrutiny.
ia/xf
