Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Budget Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to carefully sift through infrastructure projects for 2027 to effectively root out corruption.

“Paparating na naman ang 2027 budget, kaya dapat ngayon pa lang ay maayos na ang pagsusumite sa DBM para hindi na tayo uli magahol sa pag-aayos ng budget tulad ng nangyari sa 2026 budget,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee.

The DBM requires that all new or expanded infrastructure projects should be shovel- or implementation-ready. However, the same policy has been loosely implemented resulting in ghost and substandard projects.

“Ang nangyayari, gumagawa ng proyekto kahit wala pang eksaktong coordinates, basta may mailagay lang sa NEP. Imbes na ang proyekto ang habulin ng pondo, ang hinahabol ay ang pondo bago pa man ang proyekto,” he said.

During the recent Senate hearing, DPWH officials disclosed that 291 of the 337 flood control projects verified so far lack accurate coordinates in the ‘Isumbong Mo sa Pangulo’ portal.

Although flood control projects were largely omitted from the 2026 budget, they are expected to return next year due to the continued flood vulnerability of many areas, he added.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN