Manila: Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday urged the executive department to ramp up responsible spending for infrastructure in the second half of the year to pump-prime the economy.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian made the call after data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that government infrastructure spending fell 51.7 percent year-on-year in April, plummeting to PHP41.5 billion from PHP85.8 billion during the same period last year. This marks the fourth straight month of contraction, extending a slump that has persisted since the flood-control corruption scandal emerged in the second half of 2025.

Gatchalian noted that infrastructure spending has the biggest multiplier effect in boosting the economy. He expressed concern that delays in important infrastructure projects result in missed opportunities to provide jobs and develop communities. He emphasized the need to recover in order to better grow the economy.

The Senate President also stressed that while budget oversight and anti-corruption safeguards are essential, they must not hinder the country's infrastructure development program. He highlighted the urgency of accelerating public works and capital outlays, especially amid the economic slump in the first quarter of the year.