DPWH: Funds for infra projects to be now disbursed as lump sum

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said funds allocated for every infrastructure project in the country will now be released as a single lump sum amount instead of in tranches to avoid delays in implementation. 

According to Oscar Oida’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said disbursing the funds in batches can lead to stalled projects like classrooms, roads, bridges, and hospitals. 

“Bakit tingi-tingi? Eh diretsyahan na lang tayo. ‘Di ba kasi yung mga pondo nilalagay sa mga project na pinagnanakawan na. Ayun ang totoo,” said Dizon. 

(Why do it in installments? Let’s just be frank. Isn’t it because funds are often placed in projects where they end up being stolen? That’s the truth.) 

“Ang commitment ni Presidente is kung ano ang kailangang pondo para matapos na ito next year, lahat ng pondo kailangan ilagay na natin sa budget,” he added. 

(The President’s commitment is that whatever funds are needed to finish this by next year, all the funds needed must be included in the budget.) 

On Tuesday, the DPWH secretary inspected the ongoing construction of several public hospital buildings to make sure that these are completed on time.

One of the facilities he inspected is the 20-storey building of the Philippine Cancer Center (PCC)  in Quezon City, which is targeted to be finished by 2027. 

“Ito, P3.8 billion kasi 20-storeys ito, mas malaki ito. So right now, kulang pa ng mga P1.5 to P1.8 billion itong budget ng Philippine Cancer Center. So kailangan ‘yan hingiin kaagad ‘yan sa 2027 at ‘yan ang magiging priority natin,” Dizon said.

(This is worth P3.8 billion because it’s 20 stories high, it’s much larger. So right now, the Philippine Cancer Center budget is still short by about P1.5 to P1.8 billion. We need to request that immediately for 2027, and that will be our priority.) 

Dizon also checked the construction of the hemodialysis building of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and two buildings at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News