Gov't infra spending exceeds program in H1

The government ramped up infrastructure spending to P612 billion in the first semester, exceeding the programmed expenditure for the period on the back of early fund releases and procurement, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

- LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said state infrastructure expenditure and other capital outlays went up by 20.6 percent to P611.8 billion from January to June compared to last year's P507.2 billion.

The figure is also 12 percent higher than the P545.3 billion infrastructure spending program set by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee for the first half.

"As early as January, we already provided them (agencies) their allotments," Pangandaman said.

"For one, most of the projects of the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) also underwent early procurement. So they could implement most of the projects," she said.

As of end-June, overall infrastructure disbursements, which also account for the infrastructure components of transfers to local government units as well as subsidy and equity to state-run corporations, reached P720.5 billion.