Lacson quizzes DPWH about 'pattern' of budget increase in local infra projects

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday questioned why local infrastructure projects are apparently being prioritized by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over national projects under their proposed budget in the next fiscal year.

During a Senate hearing on the proposed P666.47-billion DPWH budget for 2021, Lacson said the latest budget submission of the agency was "beyond recognition" compared to what was indicated in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) that was initially approved by the Department of Budget and Management.

"What I noticed as a pattern, kaya tinanong ko kung may intervention ang some legislators, in general ang nakita naming lumobo, 'yung mga local projects at 'yung malaking nabawas 'yung national projects," the senator said.

"Ang laki ng nabawas sa mga national projects—doon sa Build, Build, Build. Ang nadagdagan puro local. May nakita kaming multi-purpose building. Ang laki ng amount noon, nasa P67 billion," he added.

"Dahil ang theme ng national budget, 'Reset, Rebound, Recover,' I wonder how would multi-purpose buildings contribute to the 'Reset, Rebound and Recover theme of the national budget?" Lacson went on to ask.

Lacson's presentation compared the NEP and the latest submission of the DPWH. It showed that the amount earmarked for network development decreased by P21 billion; general administration and support decreased by P477 million; asset preservation decreased by P9.8 billion; the bridge program dropped by P6.5 billion, and flood management program decreased by P4.5 billion.

The budget for the local program, meanwhile, increased by over P52.8 billion from P176 billion to P229 billion.

The senator also questioned why the budget for tourism infrastructure were reduced when the sector is in fact one of those most heavily hit by the pandemic.

"Bakit binawasan pa ng P8.428B ang kinaltas sa declared tourism destinations? It doesn’t make sense na ang tourism tinamaan ng COVID, 'yan pa binawasan natin. How can we rebound and recover at least sa tourism sector kung babawasan natin Convergence and Special Support as program?" Lacson asked.

DPWH's explanation

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar explained that the variance between the NEP and the latest submission was due to the adjustments they made in accordance with the priorities of the DPWH.

He said the figures they initially submitted were based on the indicative ceilings suggested by the DBM due to lack of material time but the specifics they included in the annex were reflective of the agency's priority projects.

"National is still priority but we want to do pump-priming, other local projects [that] we feel are important," Villar said.

"We are doing our best to balance the needs of the national, also look at smaller less-developed areas. These multi-purpose buildings have many uses, used as quarantine facilities and for social gatherings. We do see especially in small communities there is significant utility," he added.

As for the decrease in the budget for access roads leading to declared tourism destinations, Villar said he thinks the P15.4 billion that is earmarked for 2021 is already a significant amount. Nonetheless, he said he would be open to the senators' suggestions. —KG, GMA News