DBM says 2027 budget projects vetted, geotagged to prevent 'ghost projects'

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Tuesday that projects included in the proposed 2027 national budget underwent safeguards during the preparation process, including reviews and documentation intended to ensure that they are ready for implementation.

DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said safeguards for the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget were put in place even before the National Expenditure Program (NEP) was submitted to Congress.

“Bukod sa talagang dinaanan ng bawat isang proyekto 'yung review process na itinalaga ng ating national budget call, kabilang na diyan yung review ng Regional Development Council,” De Leon said during a press briefing following the ceremonial turnover of the 2027 NEP to the House of Representatives.

(Aside from every project undergoing the review process prescribed under the national budget call, this also includes the review of the Regional Development Council.)

De Leon said the DBM also conducted its own review of projects submitted by the agency.

He said the DBM worked closely with government agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to ensure that projects included in the NEP are ready for implementation and supported by the necessary documentation.

“All items in the National Expenditure Program for 2027 are fully accounted for during the preparation stage,” De Leon said.

He said the DBM reviewed project details, including plans and geotags indicating where projects are supposed to be implemented.

“Nakita po natin mismo ang mga detalye ng mga proyektong ito kasama po yung mga plano, including yung mga geotags kung saan dapat itatayo itong mga proyektong ito,” he said.

(We have personally seen the details of these projects, including their plans and the geotags showing where these projects are supposed to be built.)

De Leon said the process is intended to prevent “ghost projects” once the budget is approved.

“That’s why even during the budget preparation, masisiguro natin na hindi ito magiging mga ghost projects dahil handa na ang mga plano, ready to implement once Congress has passed the budget,” he said.

(That’s why even during budget preparation, we can ensure that these will not become ghost projects because the plans are ready and they are ready for implementation once Congress has passed the budget.)

He added that project monitoring will continue during implementation.

De Leon said the DPWH has its own transparency portal for its projects, while the DBM is also using its COMPASS system, which is accessible online, to track the movement of government funds.

The proposed 2027 NEP amounts to P7.2 trillion, P407 billion or 6% higher than the 2026 national budget.

The proposed spending plan will undergo congressional deliberations before it is sent to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr for signature or veto.—AOL, GMA News