Following the controversial collapse of a bridge in Isabela province, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said future infrastructure projects will soon undergo more rigorous planning and approval processes.

On the sidelines of a ceremonial signing event on Thursday, March 6, Pangandaman told reporters that while budget releases for infrastructure projects will still continue, stricter planning and approval measures will be implemented.

“I think the releases should still be continued because we want the money to be spent as early as possible,” Pangandaman said. “That’s why [in] the Government Procurement Act, we have early procurement.”

“What’s important is proper planning,” Pangandaman said, noting that the bridge failure was attributed to design flaws and structural weaknesses.

Investigations revealed that cost-cutting measures reduced the bridge’s budget from an initial ₱1.8 billion to less than ₱1 billion, raising concerns over quality control.

Pangandaman assured that for the next two years, the DBM will be stricter when it comes to the approval of the infrastructure project designs being proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other infrastructure departments.

“Maybe we’ll make sure that they provide us with the detailed engineering design (DED) of these projects,” the Budget chief said.

Asked whether the more stringent requirements would stall budget releases, Pangandaman said “not at all.”

“We just want them to give it prior to the budget preparation, not after,” Pangandaman clarified.