Corruption fear halts infra spending

Spending on hard infrastructure fell by almost a third in the third quarter, simultaneously missing the government's target to ramp up disbursements for the period, as public spending faced tighter scrutiny in the aftermath of the flood-control scandal.

- BY DERCO ROSAL

Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that infrastructure outlays plunged 30.7 percent to ₱256.9 billion in July to September this year from ₱370.6 billion in the same period last year.

Actual infrastructure spending during the third quarter fell short of the programmed ₱428.4 billion, accounting for only 76.2 percent of the plan.

In September alone, infrastructure spending dropped sharply by 42.6 percent to ₱78.7 billion from ₱137.1 billion a year earlier.

The Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) spending continued to shrink for the third consecutive month since July, according to the national government’s disbursements report for September.