Sen. Imee Marcos Speaks on DPWH’s Request To Restore Cut Portion of Agency’s Proposed 2026 Budget
IMEE MARCOS – The presidential sister and Senator slammed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Vince Dizon over his supposed change of “script” over the agency’s proposed budget.
The Bicameral Conference Committee has started the budget process for the country’s national fund for 2026. Ahead of members’ convention, Senator Jinggoy Estrada withdrew from being a member of the bicam. No reason was stated but the Senator is one of the government officials tagged in the flood control mess.
The bicam recently tackled the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Initially, under the lead of then-Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, the agency requested for a P881.3 billion budget for next year.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, a change of leadership in DPWH took place. The agency is now led by Vince Dizon, a former secretary of the Department of Transportation. Following the leadership change, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered for a sweeping review of the 2026 proposed budget of the DPWH.
According to the Palace, the President wants to ensure that the budget goes to the projects that would benefit the Filipino people. Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro claimed that changes may be made through an issuance of an errata.
Following the budget review, DPWH chief Vince Dizon slashed the proposed budget of the DPWH by P255 billion — from P881.3 billion to P625.8 billion. However, recently, during the bicam, the Public Works Chief asked the bicam to restore the cut portion of the agency’s budget.
In asking the bicam to restore the cut portion of the DPWH’s proposed budget for 2026, Public Works Chief Vince Dizon cited the changes in the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD). The senators clashed over the matter and it did not sit well with many senators including Sen. Imee Marcos.
“I truly resent the fact that the bicam is being hostaged by the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways,” the Senator said based on a report on ABS-CBN News.
According to Sen. Imee Marcos, if DPWH chief Vince Dizon truly does not trust the district engineers, he must allegedly order the removal of all DEs in the department.
“Dapat tanggalin na lang ninyo lahat kasi pinapadagdagan mo ‘yung budget tapos yung mga mag-i-implement, wala kang tiwala, ano naman kami?” Marcos added.
DPWH chief Vince Dizon said they are doing everything that they can given the current situation. Based on the report, Sen. Imee Marcos further responded to Dizon’s claim that they cannot stop working.
“Hindi kita pinahihinto sa trabaho. Pinamamadali nga namin. Ikaw ang humihinto sa trabaho namin dito sa Bicam at papalit-palit ka ng sinasabi. Yun ang problema,” she said.
Previously, the House of Representatives approved the P6.8 trillion proposed budget for 2026 amid the inclusion of the P243-billion “Unprogrammed Funds”.