Phl may borrow billions over delayed projects

Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District) said the Philippines may need to borrow around P260 billion due to delays in foreign-assisted projects, which are already partly funded by loans.

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In a radio interview on Saturday, January 10, Erice used the Metro Manila Subway and the Philippine National Railways elevated railway as examples of projects delayed because they were placed under unprogrammed funds in the 2025 budget. This meant they could only be financed if excess government revenue was generated.

The minority lawmaker said the Metro Manila Subway was originally scheduled for completion in 2028. However, because it was placed under unprogrammed appropriations combined with reported delays in right-of-way acquisition — the project’s timeline has reportedly been pushed to sometime in 2030.

“Pero ngayon dahil lang sa kalokohan at kagaguhan ng paglilipat ng pondo ng mga foreign-assisted projects, mahihirapan an naman si Juan Dela Cruz ng P260 billion,” he told DWAR Abante Radyo. (But now, because of the foolish and reckless handling of funds for foreign-assisted projects, ordinary Filipinos like Juan Dela Cruz will have to shoulder P260 billion)

In the 2026 national budget, P97.3 billion meant for foreign-assisted projects has been placed under unprogrammed appropriations. Erice, however, said it makes little sense to classify funds for projects that already have contracts with partner countries as unprogrammed.