Manila:Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito has advocated for local infrastructure projects, endorsed by local development councils (LDCs), to remain a funding priority in the Senate's proposed 2027 national budget. He emphasized that not all projects introduced by the House of Representatives are questionable.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ejercito stated that the Senate is currently evaluating infrastructure projects that are part of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and additional allocations from the House-approved General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to decide on their funding.

Ejercito highlighted the importance of smaller projects that address immediate community needs, asserting that such projects should receive priority if they have undergone proper planning and approval. He noted that projects backed by LDCs with complete documentation deserve consideration as they reflect local community priorities.

The senator explained that development planning is a bottom-up process, with local priorities influencing national government funding decisions. His comments come as the Senate works on consolidating proposed amendments to the 2027 GAB after committee-level budget deliberations.

The Senate's review follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared certain provisions of the 2024 and 2025 national budgets unconstitutional, increasing focus on the legality and transparency of government appropriations. Ejercito argued that infrastructure proposals should be evaluated based on their benefits to communities and adherence to procedures, rather than being automatically viewed with suspicion due to their congressional origins.

He reiterated that the budget process values identifying local development needs before considering them for national funding.