Bicam to tackle other agencies' budgets amid DPWH deadlock

LAWMAKERS will tackle the budgets of other agencies as the bicameral conference committee (bicam) remained deadlocked over funding for the Public Works department, a senator said on Tuesday.

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Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the Senate Finance committee, said the bicameral panel will tackle “other agencies” as he awaits analysis on the proposed funding restoration for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“We will skip the DPWH first,” he told reporters in Filipino. When asked if the panel is still in deadlock, he said “for now.”

The impasse stems from the P45-billion cut to the DPWH budget, with senators firm on keeping the billions of pesos it cut from the DPWH’s budget for next year, while congressmen warned that failing to restore funding could lead to economic losses.

The rift between the two chambers of Congress comes as the Dec. 22 deadline nears to reconcile differing versions of next year’s spending plan, a step required before ratification and transmittal to Malacañang for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s approval.

Despite the delay, Mr. Gatchalian dismissed concerns about a reenacted budget, saying “there’s still time.”