Watchdog flags P80 billion earmarked for multipurpose buildings in 2027 national budget

MANILA — A network of organizations advocating transparency in the national budget on Friday flagged an allocation of P80 billion for multipurpose buildings in the proposed 2027 national budget.

People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) co-convenor Ken Abante questioned the allocation, asking why lawmakers would earmark such a large amount for multipurpose buildings while other sectors, such as health care and education, continue to face infrastructure gaps.

“Talaga bang multipurpose buildings at covered courts ang solution natin sa El Niño?” he said, referring to the climate phenomenon, which is expected to reach intense levels.

“Why would you allot P80 billion in multipurpose buildings in the 2027 national budget when you have 160,000 classroom shortage, when there’s a shortage of many health facilities in many other parts of this country?” Abante said.

AJ Montesa, another PBC co-convenor, likened the multipurpose building allocation to the controversy surrounding flood control projects, which was marred by allegations of irregularities in government-funded projects across the country.

Montesa reiterated the PBC’s previous statement that there was P1 trillion worth of questionable allocations in the House of Representatives’ approved version of the 2027 budget.

“Hindi dapat makatawid o hindi dapat maipasa sa 2027 ang ganitong klaseng budget,” Montesa said.

PBC co-convenor Ken Abante said the flood control scandal had eroded public trust in the national budget process, with its effects continuing to be felt.

The PBC earlier made recommendations to improve the 2027 budget, including transparency over insertions made by the House of Representatives and the removal of “pork barrel.”

“Binigo po tayo ng House of Representatives. Nasa Senado na po ‘yong bola. Pero, inilalatag po natin ang mga rekomendasyong ito para masigurong magiging maayos pa rin ang daloy ng bicam,” Montesa said, referring to the bicameral conference committee where senators and congressmen reconcile their versions of the national budget.

The PBC also wants the House to create an online system for the public to verify projects, Montesa said.

The group is also calling for an end to parliamentary courtesy that spares the budgets of the Office of President, Vice President and Congress from scrutiny prior to approval. — Report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News