No infra rebound expected in Q4

The Marcos administration’s drive to purge corruption from its flood-control portfolio is expected to keep infrastructure spending in check, dampening hopes for a year-end recovery.

- BY DERCO ROSAL

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signaled in its October disbursement report that the fourth quarter will likely see a continued contraction in capital outlays as officials intensify audits of flood control projects and verify the legitimacy of state contractors.

"Lower infrastructure spending is expected to continue to weigh on overall government disbursements for the rest of the quarter while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) boosts its efforts to address corruption issues, ramp up ongoing investigations and validations, and resume construction activities," the DBM said.