AICS tops DOH, DepEd in share of DPWH budget

The P255.5 billion removed from the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is being realigned by a special House committee formed by Speaker Faustino Dy III.

- By DELON PORCALLA

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the budget amendment and revision subcommittee (BARC) had realigned P116.3 billion out of the slashed P255.5 billion, with the bulk going to an ayuda program, over the health and education departments.

Of the amount, P32 billion went to the controversial Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, as proposed by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan. AICS has been criticized for being used by lawmakers and other politicians for patronage.

Some P29.2 billion went to the Department of Health, followed by P26.5 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd), P19.1 billion to the Department of Labor and Employment and P9.3 billion to the Commission on Higher Education.

The CHED has been called out for still having P15 billion in unobligated funds last year.

“This is unprecedented. Never has it happened in the history of the budget process wherein the committee would have to realign and reallocate P255 billion in funds before the plenary deliberation starts,” Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing said yesterday.

“It’s important to convene the BARC since the committee report we will submit to the plenary is complete,” she said.

Suansing, chair of the appropriations panel, also presides over the BARC.