PARANG WALANG COVID-19

Lacson: 'Choice projects' of lawmakers prioritized in DPWH budget

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said he was not convinced by the explanation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on why it submitted budgetary documents late and why the budget for local infrastructure projects increased.

Describing the budget submission of the DPWH as "mangled" and beyond recognition compared to the National Expenditure Program (NEP), Lacson said it was designed as if there is no COVID-19 pandemic—apparently prioritizing local projects over national ones.

"Parang walang nangyaring COVID at parang wala tayong pinupuntahan para recovery o pag-rebound ng ating ekonomiya. Kasi ganoon pa rin, napunta sa mga choice project ng ilang mambabatas," he said in a radio interview.

"Hindi mapagkakaila, although ayaw aminin ni Secretary Villar nang tinanong ko [kung] may intervention ba mga legislator kaya kayo na-late? Kasi balita namin katakot-takot na haggling ang nangyari sa pagitan ng DPWH at ilang kongresista kaya nagka-delay-delay, hindi naka-submit on time," he added.

Villar, for his part, has explained during the Senate hearing that there was quite a delay because the budget ceiling was only provided by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) a day before the deadline of printing on July 17.

The DPWH chief added this was the reason why the DBM has allowed them to submit an annex so they could describe their proposed projects for 2021 in detail.

Lacson said he will get in touch with the DBM to ask what really happened.

"Hindi ko ma-imagine bakit ang DBM—at tatanungin ko sa DBM ito—nang nagbigay ng budget ceiling sa DPWH, July 16 tapos ang deadline July 17," the senator said.

On Lacson's question why multi-purpose buildings were included in the budget, Villar said local projects were also considered because the department wants to do pump priming in some communities.

"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," Villar said.

After six hours of hearing, the Senate committee on finance endorsed the DPWH's budget to the plenary on Wednesday.—AOL, GMA News