New delhi: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated that the government is ramping up public spending to bolster economic growth and employment in light of delays in infrastructure project implementation that have impeded spending.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a media briefing at the conclusion of his participation at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, President Marcos expressed confidence that government spending would align with expectations over the next few months as project execution gains momentum. "We will be current in public spending in the next couple of months," he assured.

Marcos explained that the delays in infrastructure spending were due to the inspection and review of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts. This scrutiny followed his 2025 State of the Nation Address, where he exposed alleged anomalies within the public infrastructure program, particularly in flood control projects. The President elaborated that the DPWH was unable to spend as there were no new contracts because existing contracts were under review, leading to significant delays.

He further mentioned that these reviews disrupted the standard bidding process for government projects, exacerbating the slowdown in project implementation. Marcos pointed out that the lack of bids resulted in continuous delays.

The President emphasized that the acceleration of government projects is vital for reviving economic activity and job creation, highlighting that the slowdown in public spending has also contributed to rising unemployment. He noted that these efforts are part of a broader government strategy to maintain economic stability amid ongoing global uncertainties.