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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider P41.4-M budget for ICI approved, says Hosaka

P41.4-M budget for ICI approved, says Hosaka

Published Nov 5, 2025 04:20 pm

At A Glance

  • The Office of the President (OP) has approved a P41.481-million budget for this year's operational cost--including personnel services--of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after almost two months of work without any compensation.
The Office of the President (OP) has approved a P41.481-million budget for this year's operational cost--including personnel services--of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after almost two months of work without any compensation.
Speaking in a press conference, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said the budget approval, which also came with a staffing approval, "will definitely enable the commission to now efficiently and effectively carry out its core mandate and functions under Executive Order No. 94".
"Malaking bagay 'yun (It's really a big help)... It is very crucial for our efficiency and for us to be able to work and meet the operation requirements, at the same time, require aht we are asked for under EO No. 94," he added.
Since its establishment by President Marcos on Sept. 15, the ICI has been operating upon the volunteerism of its members--basically working for free.
Hosaka said some of ICI's staff members are contractuals and plantilla workers who haven't received any salaries yet.
Most of them, however, were deployed to the ICI by various government agencies, and were receiving compensation from their mother agencies.
"We were running on purely volunteerism of our officials. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, most of the staff that we have, have been detailed to us by the other government  agencies, meaning, they do receive their salaries from their mother agencies," he said.
According to Hosaka, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has also approved a total of 172 positions for the ICI. What the body is looking for right now are mainly lawyers, accountants, engineers, as well as support and administrative staff.
"We can accommodate referrals, at the same time, applications from different sectors," he added.
Hosaka said the approved budget was almost the same amount that the body initially asked for.
"We have to see if that will be enough. But what is important is we will be having it soon, and we will see, depending on the needs of the commission as we move forward, then we will find out," he added.
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