Senator Win Gatchalian vowed to transfer the ₱3-billion allocation for the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of National Defense (DND), citing low completion rates and idle infrastructure projects. 

The Senate Finance Committee chairperson pointed out unfinished DPWH projects for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Pasay City: two multipurpose buildings worth ₱72 million and ₱51 million which were tagged as completed but remain unfinished. Two other PAF projects, valued at ₱60 million and ₱17 million, also lack complete funding.

“For 2026, ililipat na natin sa DND ang ₱3 billion. Ang mahalaga, matapos at mapakinabangan ng ating mga sundalo ang bawat piso ng pondo,” Gatchalian said during the budget hearing for the DND and attached agencies. 

“Sayang naman yung mga gusali, nakatayo pero hindi nagagamit. Mas mainam na ang DND na mismo ang magpatupad ng mga proyekto dahil sila naman ang nakakaalam ng kanilang mga pangangailangan,” he added.  

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro reported that out of 944 approved TIKAS projects since 2019, only 648 have been completed, with several left unfinished or unusable. 

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN