House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to keep climate and disaster resiliency in mind when it comes to its projects.
“Our public works must also be climate and disaster-resilient to adapt and prepare for the rapid changes in our planet," Co said in his speech Friday, Sept. 16 during the budget hearing of the DPWH before the House panel.
The DPWH is the builder of the government when it comes to infrastructure projects.
The Philippines sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", an area where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are more recurring than in any other part of the world.
Due to its location, the country is also visited by at least 20 typhoons per year, an average of five of which is destructive.
Co also reckoned that the agency "must be responsive to the country’s ever-growing population and its ever-increasing demand for efficient delivery of public services, including energy, water, and public transportation".
Under President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the government seeks to expand the previous administration's "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure modernization program with the "Build, Better, More" program.
This committee welcomes and supports the President’s aspirations. Indeed, infrastructure is the backbone of a society’s economy,” Co said.
Heading the DPWH contingent in the budget briefing was Secretary Manuel Bonoan. During the proceedings, committee members expressed concern about the department’s unused appropriations in the 2020 (P83 billion) and 2021 (P87.6 billion) enacted budgets.
Asked about the amount of unused DPWH funds for 2022, Bonoan told the House body that the department’s current accomplishment is about 90 percent. He said he is confident that the number would increase to 95 percent by year's end.
The DPWH's proposed outlay for 2023 is P718.36 billion.