Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday assured the public that safeguards are in place to prevent abuse and irregularities in the proposed higher allocation for government infrastructure projects in 2027. In a statement, the DBM said infrastructure proposals underwent evaluation and validation before their inclusion in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
According to Philippines News Agency, the DBM emphasized that the higher infrastructure allocation is accompanied by safeguards starting at the budget preparation stage, requiring agencies to submit complete documentary requirements for infrastructure projects. These measures aim to ensure that the proposed projects align with national and regional priorities, are ready for implementation, and can deliver tangible benefits to the public.
The DBM stated that proposed projects were assessed based on their alignment with development priorities, readiness, maturity, capacity, past performance, expected outcomes, and overall value. The assessment aligns with the 2027 Budget Call and Budget Priorities Framework, considering factors such as feasibility studies, engineering requirements, procurement plans, and necessary clearances.
The department also highlighted that region-specific programs undergo the Regional Development Council (RDC) process, ensuring alignment with regional plans and priorities. RDC endorsements are part of the supporting requirements evaluated during the agency budget proposal assessments.
The DBM noted that the proposed PHP643.95 billion allocation for the Department of Public Works and Highways' infrastructure projects is part of the PHP1.47 trillion government-wide funding proposal for 2027. This proposed budget is 13.8 percent higher than the previous year's allocation and is expected to support economic growth, job creation, and improved connectivity across the country.
Among the flagship projects included in the proposed 2027 allocation are the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, Davao City Bypass Construction Project, Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Construction Project, and Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project. The Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project received the largest allocation, supported by the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
The DBM reiterated that projects funded under the national budget remain subject to procurement, budgeting, accounting, auditing, monitoring, and transparency requirements throughout implementation to ensure accountability and proper use of resources.
