Pork barrel insertions? Dizon says DPWH reviewing House-approved 2027 budget with watchdog
MANILA — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday said the Department of Public Works and Highways is reviewing the House-approved version of the proposed 2027 national budget with civil society group People’s Budget Coalition amid concerns on alleged pork barrel allocations.
The group had flagged billions of pesos worth of local infrastructure projects allegedly inserted by House lawmakers, saying these lack publicly verifiable programs of work and supporting documents.
The coalition has asked Dizon to verify whether these projects are backed by proper studies and planning.
“I’ve spoken to the People’s Budget Coalition, we’re currently reviewing it with them,” he said.
Speaking to the media after inspecting sidewalk expansion works along EDSA in Pasay City, Dizon admitted he has yet to personally read and go through the House budget bill approved on Monday.
But he stressed that the DPWH will only implement projects with the required documents and approvals.
“Kung wala ‘yun, sorry, hindi pwede,” he said.
(Without those, sorry, it won’t move forward.)
Dizon also vowed there will be no special treatment for DPWH officials under investigation over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects in Davao City.
This comes after the National Bureau of Investigation recommended the filing of criminal charges against 12 officials and personnel of the DPWH Davao City District Engineering Office, including its former district engineer as well as private contractor Genesis88 Construction Inc.
The cases involve projects in the congressional district of Rep. Paolo Duterte, who has welcomed the probe but challenged the NBI to present evidence and avoid what he called a “trial by publicity.”
Asked if the DPWH officials implicated in the case have been suspended, Dizon noted that due process must be observed.
“Ang importante tuloy-tuloy ang proseso,” he said.
(What is important is that the process is ongoing and will continue.)