Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has recommended that governors and city mayors be invited to the Senate’s upcoming public hearings on the proposed 2026 national budget.

Escudero said he has made the suggestion to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, saying they should actively take part in the budget deliberations—a break from long-standing practice that excludes them from the crafting of the government’s most important expenditure program.

“They have been sidelined for too long. It is now time to give them a seat at the table,” Escudero said in a statement on Wednesday, August 20.

The Senate chief pointed out that since department and bureau officials routinely appear before Congress to defend their budget proposals, local chief executives, then, should also be given the venue to air their views regarding the national budget.

He pointed out these local leaders are responsible for implementing many of these projects and can help “vet and verify” whether projects in the proposed budget are aligned with the needs of their constituents.

“If division heads of small bureaus attend budget hearings, why don't the leaders of provinces and big cities?” Escudero pointed out.

“The perspectives of leaders on the ground are invaluable in determining which projects are necessary and which are not. They can also help flag possible overpricing in the appropriations being requested,” he argued.

Lacson pointed out wasteful spending and white-elephant projects could be prevented if the LGUs are consulted first, since many projects have historically been listed in the budget without consulting them first due to politics.

“These are their territory. That's why they are the ones who can answer more if they are really needed. Their feedback is too important to be ignored,” Escudero said.

“One way to achieve this is by requiring the approval or endorsement of the respective Provincial Development Councils and the Regional Development Councils for all development projects so that, at the very least, each LGU will be informed and notified of the proposed programs and activities of the national government in the ensuing year,” he said.

During a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Tuesday, August 19, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted that some flood control projects, especially in Bulacan, may be “ghost projects.”

Bonoan mentioned the “ghost projects” supposedly awarded to Wawao Builders and SYMS contractors that have flood control projects in Calumpit, Malolos and Hagonoy, Bulacan. Wawao Builders is among the top 15 contractors identified by President Marcos that reportedly received the government’s flood control projects over the years.