Vince Dizon Seeks Cut Portion from DPWH Proposed Budget for 2026 Citing CMPD Changes
DPWH – The Department of Public Works and Highways asked the bicameral conference committee to restore the cut portion of their proposed fund.
Aside from many congressman and some senators, several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways were flagged in the flood control mess. The supposed multi-billion flood control corruption led thousands of people to the streets to protest against corruption.
The so-called “Trillion Peso March” was held last September 21 and November 30. Amid the supposed multi-billion flood control issue, several officials of the Public Works department were removed from their position. Many of them are also facing charges now.
Amid the budget process for next year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the sweeping review of the proposed budget of the DPWH for 2026. According to Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the order emphasized that the review “must lead to the necessary changes to guarantee transparency, accountability and proper use of people’s money”.
The Palace official also stressed that Marcos Jr. wants to ensure that the projects of the agency truly serve and benefit the Filipino people. Castro claimed that changes may be made through an errata.
Following the President’s order for a sweeping review of the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the DPWH slashed its proposed budget by P255 billion. From P881.3 billion, the agency’s proposed budget is left at P625.8 billion.
“[T]he Department has exerted its best efforts, within the very limited period allotted, to ensure that the issues raised in the previously submitted budget, such as the funding of completed and duplicate projects, are adequately addressed,” Public Works Sec. Vince Dizon said.
However, recently, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon asked the bicameral conference committee for the restoration of the cut portion from the proposed budget of the agency for 2026. Based on a post of News5 on social media, he cited the changes in the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD).
“Obviously with Congress’ oversight function, anytime po pwede niyo po kaming i-check kung ito po talaga ay ginagawa namin,” he said.
Based on the post, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon admitted that they are hard to trust but stressed that it is what they are asking for. The senators clashed over the request of the agency.
“Alam ko pong mahirap kami pagkatiwalaan, pero ‘yun po ang hinihiling namin sa inyo ngayon,” he said.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines and the budget insertion issue, Senator Jinggoy Estrada stepped back from being a member of the bicam.