DPWH execs told to appear before House budget panel despite COVID-19 scare

Despite the COVID-19 scare, several members of the House of Representatives demanded the physical presence of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials at the session hall on Thursday's briefing of the agency's budget.

Seeing that only few DPWH executives were present -- and the rest of the officials, including Secretary Mark Villar, participating via videoconference -- the House Committee on Appropriations deferred deliberation on the proposed 2021 budget.

At the center of discussions is the P667.3 billion appropriations for the agency next year, which will mostly go to infrastructure projects all over the country.

Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. noted that while many lawmakers were attending the budget briefing at the session hall, only a few officials of the DPWH were physically present.

"The reason why the deliberation of the budget of the DPWH is being held in the plenary [is] because we would like the officials of the DPWH to be with us," Abante said.

"Of course, Secretary Mark Villar is a very good friend and perhaps if they would not be able to attend, then they should with respect write the Committee on Appropriations," he added.

Only two undersecretaries and three assistant secretaries were physically attending the DPWH budget briefing.

"We have six [undersecretaries] and we only have two here. With due respect, mahirap talagang pakinggan, mahirap tayong makapag-usap nang mahusay dito because even the DICT has admitted that our internet is very slow and it’s very hard to listen," Abante said.

"With reservation, I would like to move for the deferment of the deliberations of this budget," he added.

With no objection from the members of the panel, Abante's motion was carried and the DPWH's budget hearing was deferred.

Before the briefing was deferred, Negros Oriental 3rd District, Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was questioning the supposedly massive allocation for infrastructure projects under proposed 2021 budget of the DPWH in some legislative districts, particularly in Taguig City and Camarines Sur.

This was the first time lawmakers demanded the physical presence of department officials in briefings for the 2021 budget which began on August 22.

The House has been holding virtual hearings, press conferences, political caucuses and technical working group and administrative meetings since the pandemic hit the country in March.   Strict physical distancing is also being enforced among guests, staff and lawmakers present in the complex.

Guidelines from the chamber allow a maximum of 25 lawmakers inside the session hall during plenary sessions.

There are a total of 76 COVID-19 positive cases at the House.—LDF, GMA News