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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Unexpected' budget hikes in select districts after congressional adjustments—DPWH

'Unexpected' budget hikes in select districts after congressional adjustments—DPWH

Published Aug 14, 2025 04:43 pm

At A Glance

  • Certain districts received unexpected budget increases outside DPWH's priority list.
  • Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro were among the areas affected.
  • President Marcos withheld ₱400 billion for later release and vetoed ₱26 billion in projects.
  • DPWH requested ₱1-trillion for 2025 but was allocated ₱880 billion due to fiscal constraints.
  • Priority projects aligned with the president's development agenda will continue.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan (Photo: DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan (Photo: DPWH)
Certain districts received unexpected budget increases, which were not part of the agency’s vetted priority list, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Thursday, Aug. 14.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the additional allocations—particularly in Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro—only appeared after congressional deliberations.
He said these  “surprising,” since the agency had no role in the adjustments.
Bonoan noted that the DPWH’s original proposals focused on top-priority infrastructure projects, such as flood mitigation, yet some areas without such rankings still received substantial funding.
The DPWH chief disclosed that President Marcos initially withheld more than ₱400 billion for later release and vetoed ₱26 billion worth of projects to ensure only essential items move forward.
Bonoan stressed that the DPWH does not participate in congressional insertions, which are often introduced after the General Appropriations Bill is passed.
He also welcomed the formation of an independent audit team under the Office of the President to review questionable allocations.
The agency has made its list of flood control and infrastructure projects public, urging citizens to report irregularities.
Despite fiscal constraints reducing the DPWH’s requested ₱1-trillion budget to ₱880 billion, Bonoan assured that priority projects aligned with the president’s development agenda will still proceed.

Related Tags

DPWH Manuel Bonoan budget 2025
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