Following the Signing of 2026 Budget, DPWH Chief Speaks on Release of Infra Funds
DPWH – Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the funds for the infrastructure projects will be released as a lump sum.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget for 2026 is reduced by over P300 billion following the session of the bicameral conference committee. Despite the huge cut, Sec. Vince Dizon thanked the bicam.
Dizon also assured the Filipinos that the budget of the DPWH will be used in the right projects that will benefit the people. The department has been the center of controversy after several of its officials were tagged in the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
Despite the huge cut, the DPWH still gets the second highest budget for 2026 amid the flood control mess. A total of P530.9 billion is allotted for the department — next to P1.015 trillion for the Department of Education (DepEd).
Based on a report on GMA News, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon announced that the department will release the budget for the infrastructure projects in lump sum instead of having it in tranches. According to him, disbursing the funds in tranches can allegedly lead to stalled bridges, roads, classrooms, hospitals, and bridges.
“Bakit tingi-tingi? Eh diretsyahan na lang tayo. ‘Di ba kasi yung mga pondo nilalagay sa mga project na pinagnanakawan na. Ayun ang totoo,” the DPWH Chief said.
Based on the report, Dizon further expressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a commitment that all needed funds to finish the projects by next year should be included in the budget. One of the targets is the completion of the 20-storey building of the Philippine Cancer Center (PCC) in Quezon City which is eyed to be finished by 2027.
The approved budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways includes the P2.49 billion for the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses or the MOOE of the flood control-related projects like the flood control structures, drainage systems, and other related facilities.
Furthermore, 18 regions in the country the National Capital Region (NCR), the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are set to receive P100-million MOOE each. The department has also allocated MOOE funds for nationwide flood-control projects including the following:
- Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project structures worth P50 million
- CAMANAVA / Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan flood control structures worth P50 million
- Post-Ondoy and Pepeng Short Term Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (POPSTIRP) structures worth P30 million
- Agno flood control structures worth P50 million
- Desilting, Dredging, and Cleaning of Waterways worth P100 million
- Flood Risk Management Project Structures for Cagayan River, Tagoloan River, and Imus River worth P30 million
- Esteros Improvement/ Maintenance in NCR worth P50 million
- Manggahan flood control structures worth P50 million
- Laoag River Basin flood control structures worth P50 million
- Third River flood control structures worth P30 million
- Lower Agusan flood control structures worth P50 million
- Manila Bay Rehabilitation based on Supreme Court Mandamus order worth P30 million
- Iloilo flood control structures worth P50 million
- Pampanga Delta Development Project structures worth P30,000,000 million
- Flood Control and Sabo Engineering Center worth P10 million
- Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project (PHUMP) Structures worth P30 million
Amid the questions, Malacañang previously expressed the confidence of the Marcos Jr. admin on the 2026 national budget.