Marcos Orders Sweeping Review of DPWH 2026 Budget

Saying Filipinos deserve transparency and efficiency, President Marcos has ordered a "sweeping review" of the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under his proposed spending program for next year, days after he disclosed that the outlay contains several insertions.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

A review of the P880-billion proposed budget for the DPWH, which is under fire for alleged flood control project anomalies, would ensure that public funds are spent properly, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement yesterday.

"I have instructed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to fully review the budget of the DPWH and make the necessary corrections for the NEP (National Expenditure Program) 2026. We owe the Filipino people transparency and efficiency," Marcos was quoted in the PCO statement as saying.

The NEP refers to the budget prepared by the executive branch and submitted to Congress for approval. The Marcos administration is proposing a P6.793-trillion national budget for next year, 7.4 percent higher than this year's P6.326-trillion outlay.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that by ordering a "sweeping" review of the DPWH budget, Marcos aims to remove any duplication or unnecessary project funding insertion.

She cited the claims of House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st district Rep. Ronaldo Puno and Marikina 1st district Rep.

Marcy Teodoro that the 2026 NEP contains funding for completed public works projects.