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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian wants infrastructure fund transferred from DPWH to DND

Gatchalian wants infrastructure fund transferred from DPWH to DND

Published Oct 8, 2025 12:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to transfer the P3-billion allocation for the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of National Defense (DND).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to transfer the P3-billion allocation for the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of National Defense (DND).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian joins his colleagues in calling for the immediate removal of e-wallet applications’ links to any form of online gambling. (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian joins his colleagues in calling for the immediate removal of e-wallet applications’ links to any form of online gambling. (Senate PRIB photo)

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, made the statement during the hearing of the DND’s proposed P295-billion budget for 2026 on Tuesday, October 7, citing the low completion rates and idle infrastructure projects.

The senator cited at least two projects supposedly for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Pasay City which are multipurpose buildings worth P72-mmillion and P51-million which were tagged as completed but remain unfinished.

Two other PAF projects, valued at P60 million and P17 million, also lack complete funding.

“For 2026, ililipat na natin sa DND ang P3 billion (we will transfer the P3-billion to the DND). Gatchalian said during the budget hearing for the DND and attached agencies.

“Ang mahalaga, matapos at mapakinabangan ng ating mga sundalo ang bawat piso ng pondo (What is important is that the project gets finished and our soldiers benefit from every peso of the funds),” he said.

“Sayang naman yung mga gusali, nakatayo pero hindi nagagamit. Mas mainam na ang DND na mismo ang magpatupad ng mga proyekto dahil sila naman ang nakakaalam ng kanilang mga pangangailangan (The building would just go to waste, it’s standing but not being used. It would be better for the DND itself to implement the projects because they know their needs),” he added. 

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro reported to the panel that out of 944 approved TIKAS projects since 2019, only 648 have been completed, with several left unfinished or unusable.

Teodoro said they will discuss with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon the possible filing of appropriate cases against the proponents of these unfinished projects.

According to him, the buildings were essential, but these were not part of the core infrastructure-based development program.

“These do not fall in line anymore with our strategic basing and operational security requirements…and henceforth these will not be pursued anymore, yet recovery must be done,” he said.

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian DND DPWH infrastructure Gibo Teodoro
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