Cayetano wants billions of double appropriations, lump sum funds in DPWH projects fixed in GAB

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday prodded the Senate to fix billions worth of double appropriations and lump sum allocations for the Department of Public Works and Highways under the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

During the continuation of the Senate debates on the 2023 proposed national budget, Cayetano questioned the DPWH projects that have different funding but have the same description.

Under the National Expenditures Program (NEP) submitted by the Executive Department to Congress, the lawmaker said that there is P1.06 billion worth of projects that were duplicated.

Although the NEP was deliberated by the House of Representatives, Cayetano raised that the lower chamber's version of the budget measure still contains P1.052 billion double appropriations.

Senator Sonny Angara, who defended the budget of the department, said the DPWH has already submitted the corrections with the House of Representatives.

But Cayetano presented several projects in Quezon, Las Pinas City, Marikina City, Abra, Iloilo, and Albay that have the same descriptions but with different appropriations.

One of the biggest amounts that Cayetano has flagged was the funding for a Multi-Purpose Building in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental which have P30 million and P50 million allocations.

Cayetano suggested to the DPWH to invest in a software that can pick out the supposed double appropriations, saying the department might be blamed if they will not fix these proposed allocations.

Angara, in response, said the DPWH will be asked to sweep the GAB but if there are no satisfactory explanations, then the Senate will move to eliminate the duplicated projects.

Cayetano likewise questioned the lump sum appropriations under the NEP and the GAB.

He said there is P2.530 billion lump sum appropriations under the NEP but it has ballooned to P28.162 billion under the GAB.

These lump sum projects include P233.530 million for the rehabilitation of EDSA, P93.412 million for weak bridges replacement, and P233.530 million for major rehabilitations and repairs of bridges.

"I think in the final form, we would like to avoid any-- Can I use the word many lump sum that is allowable?-- I won't say illegal in the sense that may flexibility naman ang Congress," Cayetano said.

Pork barrel, declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court — refers to lump-sum and discretionary funds earmarked for lawmakers in the national budget for their pet projects.

Angara, in response, said the DPWH should be given a chance to itemize these lump sum appropriations.

If the agency will not take the opportunity, Angara said they will exercise the Congress' power to realign these funds. -- BAP, GMA News