JV Ejercito pushes nat'l dev't masterplan to help curb corruption

Senate Finance Committee Chair Senator JV Ejercito is pushing for the passage of the proposed Masterplan for Infrastructure National Development (MIND) to help address the nationwide floods.

In an interview on told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, Ejercito said MIND aims to support the achievement of the overall long-term development vision of the country as a prosperous middle-class society, and streamline private and public infrastructure investments.

It shall also ensure policy continuity and further define and clarify the role of various government agencies and instrumentalities in the development of critical infrastructure projects, he added.

Ejercito said MIND could not only provide better flood-mitigating facilities but also help prevent corruption, such as the current flood control anomalies.

“Identified na 'yung flood prone areas, major river basins, kung sakali mang magkakaroon ng flood control project, dapat within priority 'yung top 10 flood prone areas sa bansa,” the senator saud.

(The flood-prone areas and major river basins have already been identified, so any flood control projects should prioritize the country’s top 10 flood-prone areas.)

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Marcos administration has set a P1.47 trillion budget for its “Build Better More” infrastructure initiative under the proposed P7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) in 2027.

The bulk of the proposed infrastructure budget next year, or 42.2%, is allocated for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at P619.04 billion.

“We need to close the gaps. 'Yung mga puwang na naiwan, dapat saraduhan ng DPWH... 'Yung mga uncompleted flood control project, kumpletuhin na natin,” the senator said.

(We need to close the gaps. The DPWH should address the remaining gaps and complete unfinished flood control projects.)

During a recent congressional hearing, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency has yet to create a national plan for flood control after experts advised a targeted approach.

"You are correct, Congressman Chel (Diokno), that's the strategy of the department over the course of the last couple of years, more than that even, to have masterplans per river, per major river basin. So, wala po talagang consolidated national plan (So, there really is no consolidated national plan)," Dizon said.

Where will the funds go?

Ejercito further told dzBB that the public must be informed where the country’s loans will be used, as the Marcos administration plans to borrow P3.304 trillion next year.

“Kailangan malinaw din sa atin, sa publiko kung saan mapupunta ang perang ito... Nakakalungkot na utang tayo nang utang para sa panggastos ng gobyerno, pero ang ating revenues, 'yung ating kinikita ay ganito lamang,” the senator said.

(It should also be clear to the public where these funds will go. It is unfortunate that we keep borrowing to finance government spending while our revenues remain at this level.)

Finance Secretary Frederick Go earlier said the “majority” of the planned P3.304 trillion borrowing next year “will be sourced domestically.”

Go said the administration is looking at a 72%-28% borrowing mix, in favor of domestic sources.

“Our 2027 financing strategy prioritizes lower risk domestic sources to secure cost-effective financing, maintain a prudent debt profile, and deepen our local bond market,” the Finance chief said. —RF, GMA News