Lacson spots ‘uniform’ infra funds for 42 districts in DPWH budget

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said uniform allocations for local infrastructure projects exist under the proposed P666.47 billion budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2021.

In an interview on ANC, the senator reiterated the information that the DPWH's submission of budget documents has been delayed because of haggling with some lawmakers in the Lower House.

"Following that assumption na may haggling, galing na nga talaga sa congressmen ang breakdown na sinubmit ng DPWH na nag-increase ang local projects, especially multi-purpose buildings (MPBs)—P67 billion-worth of MPBs," Lacson said.

"And may nakita pa kami P1 million uniformly appropriated to several districts. I think 42 districts all over the country. What does that mean? Ibig sabihin ito ang insertions na nga—but inserted not anymore under GAB (general appropriations bill) in Congress but sa NEP (national expenditure program) na submitted very late ng DPWH," he added.

Lacson has previously pointed out that the budget process was not followed when the DPWH "mangled" what was already stated in the NEP. He said the agency should have only broken down the lump sum amounts, not shuffle them.

"Ang assumption, based on information supplied to us by some congressmen, pinakialaman ng ilang congressmen ang budget ng DPWH to be converted into their local constituencies’ projects," he said.

The senator earlier flagged a pattern of increase in local infrastructure projects while national ones saw a reduction in allocation.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, for his part, previously denied that the haggling with legislators caused the delay. He also explained that the variance between the NEP and the agency's latest submission was due to the adjustments they made in accordance with the priorities of the DPWH.

Villar said the figures they initially submitted were based on the indicative ceilings suggested by the Department of Budget and Management. Due to lack of material time, he said the agency has been allowed to submit an annex where they could indicate the projects in detail.

Lacson assured that the Senate will thoroughly examine the budget bill once transmitted by the House.

While also lamenting over the corruption in the DPWH, President Rodrigo Duterte vouched for Villar's integrity and said the latter is too rich to be interested in pocketing public funds.—LDF, GMA News