Makati Business Club flags DPWH budget increases

The Makati Business Club (MBC), one of the civil society organizations accredited to observe the budget deliberations, on Monday flagged several “serious concerns” over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget and flood control projects.

In a statement released Monday evening, the MBC flagged the increase of the DPWH’s budget by over 20 times from 2004 to 2026, which it said is disproportionate compared to most other agencies, and even with adjustments to inflation.

“Within DPWH, flood control has one of the largest fund allotments, now accounting for about one-third of infrastructure outlays,” the statement read, noting that such projects received over P1.2 trillion from 2023 to 2026, with P250 billion programmed for next year.

“Despite years or record-high allocations, there has yet to be an explanation why there is a persistence of devastating floods every time the rains come,” it added.

The MBC was also a signatory to an earlier statement of 30 business groups that call for jail time for corrupt individuals found to be involved in the flood control controversy.

The MBC also on Monday called for the deep examination of the Convergence and Special Support Programs (CSSP), that finances projects such as multipurpose buildings, local roads, streetlights, basketball courts, waiter sheds, and other discretionary projects.

“Its broad and undefined scope makes it highly vulnerable to political discretion and pork-barrel type insertions. CSSP projects are subject to weak transparency and audit mechanisms posing significant risks for waste and misuse of taxpayer money,” it said.

In the same statement, the MBC said it has been accredited as one of the bona fide civil society organizations that will serve as observers and active participants in the upcoming budget deliberations, as provided for in House Resolution 94.

“We welcome this recognition as an opportunity to monitor, question, and ensure that the 2026 General Appropriations Act will be crafted to serve its purpose which are in the best interest and needs of the Filipino people,” it read.

“While each branch of government has its own safeguards, history has shown that external oversight can provide stronger protection for public interest,” it added.

To recall, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July warned government personnel who steal public funds—such as those for flood control projects—to have some shame.

Just last week Marcos ordered a sweeping review of the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the National Expenditure Program (NEP), with the agency tasked to implement the flood control projects.

He also earlier launched a website on flood control, and urged citizens to report any wrongdoings through the platform, as he found that only 15 firms have cornered 20% of contracts across the country.

DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, who took charge of the department last Monday, has already ordered the courtesy resignation of all officials of the department from top to bottom.

For its part, the House Appropriations last week deferred the deliberations on the proposed P880-billion budget of the DPWH for next year, to give the department time to submit errata or corrections. — BM, GMA Integrated News