President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a full-scale review of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed ₱880-billion budget for 2026, citing questionable “insertions” and alleged ghost flood control projects flagged by senators.
“I have instructed the DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to fully review the budget of the DPWH and make the necessary corrections for the NEP 2026,” Marcos said in a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office. “We owe the Filipino people transparency and efficiency.”
The directive, issued on Wednesday, September 3, comes just days after Marcos publicly expressed frustration over persistent irregularities in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). “Unfortunately, the more we look, the more we find,” he said in a media interview on September 1. “Even in the 2026 budget, there are still a lot of insertions. So really — it really needs to be cleaned out properly.”
The controversy centers on at least ₱51.82 billion worth of flood control allocations flagged by Senator Panfilo Lacson as “distinct insertions” in the NEP. These include vague line items for flood management in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.
“These are not just technical errors. These are systemic,” Lacson warned during Tuesday’s Development Budget Coordination Committee briefing. He cited ghost projects and double appropriations, particularly in Bulacan, as part of a pattern of budget manipulation.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian backed Lacson’s call, saying he intends to realign the questionable items “in accordance with the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan and in coordination and consultation” with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and DPWH.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that Marcos has tasked both Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to lead the review. “The President emphasized that the review must lead to the necessary changes to guarantee transparency, accountability, and the proper use of the people’s money,” Castro said during a press briefing.
She added that corrections will be made through errata, as the NEP cannot be returned to the DBM. “Iku-correct, ia-amend, tatanggalin… para mabigyan ang Senado at Kongreso ng listahan kung ano ang hindi na dapat ilagay,” Castro explained.
The DPWH has come under fire following revelations of completed projects being re-listed for funding, coded project names, and suspiciously rounded figures. Former Secretary Manuel Bonoan resigned in August, citing “command responsibility” amid mounting allegations. (ZIA LUNA)
