DPWH slashes 2026 budget by ₱255B

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has cut its proposed 2026 budget to over ₱625 billion, a reduction of about ₱255 billion after a review that flagged several allocations as questionable.

- TRIXEE ROSEL and JEFFREY DAMICOG

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the department's original submission of more than P881 billion was pared down within the limited period allowed to address concerns raised in the initial proposal.

"The revised budget amounts to ₱625,784,508,000, which is ₱255,528,051,000, or 28.99 percent, lower than the originally proposed ₱881,312,559,000 budget earlier submitted," Dizon said.

He added that the revised proposal was transmitted to House Speaker Martin Romualdez through Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing ahead of the upcoming budget deliberations.

Dizon said ₱252 billion worth of locally funded flood control projects was scrapped in line with President Marcos' directive.

The savings, he added, are recommended for reallocation to agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, labor, social welfare, and information technology to support priority sectors.