ICI executive director to be named this week

Malacañang said Tuesday that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) could name its executive director within the week.

''Magpupulong pa lang po sila. So, most probably, within this week ay mayroon na," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing. 

(They will still meet. So, most probably, within this week there's already an executive director.)

Under President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order No. 94, the ICI shall have a Secretariat which shall provide technical and administrative support to the body and which shall be headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the body.

The Executive Director, who shall have the rank, emoluments, and privileges of an Undersecretary, shall execute and administer the policies and decisions of the ICI and manage the day-to-day operations thereof.

In a separate interview, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the ICI's funding is still in the process, noting that it will come from the Office of the President.

She added that the supposed budget for flood control projects in 2026 would not be diverted to the ICI. 

Under the EO, it is the Department of Budget and Management that is tasked to identify the budget for the powerful ICI. —VAL, GMA Integrated News