Marcos approves release of P9.7 billion unprogrammed funds for DPWH projects

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has approved the release of P9.7 billion from the unprogrammed funds for public works and road repair whose original budget was slashed and included in the P60 billion in last-minute insertions in the 2024 national budget by some members of the House of Representatives.

A reliable source said the President’s order was anchored on the two letters of requests of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan dated Jan. 12 and Feb. 12, addressed to Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

Bonoan requested the release of budgets of P3 billion for routine maintenance of national roads and bridges and P6.7 billion to finance the foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) from unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

“PBBM (President Marcos) and Sec. Manny have talked with the secretary of Finance (Ralph Recto) and the secretary of Budget and Management (Pangandaman). The President instructed the two to release funds for the programs of the department,” a source told The STAR.

In a letter to Pangandaman dated Feb. 12, Bonoan expressed belief that the release of the requested unprogrammed funds is imperative to uphold the functionality of the national road infrastructure network.

Bonoan mentioned that all the various FAPs that were previously implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Unified Project Management Office have been removed from the regular program of the department.

Earlier, Sen. Imee Marcos disclosed that P10 billion of the P60 billion in last-minute insertions in the 2024 national budget by some members of the House of Representatives were drawn from funds intended for benefits and pensions of government workers and retired military personnel.

Marcos noted that the DPWH’s budget was also slashed apparently in favor of the House insertions.

Bonoan requested the release of P3 billion in unprogrammed funds for the routine maintenance of national roads and bridges under the jurisdiction of the DPWH.

“As you are aware, our programmed allocation for routine maintenance in the DPWH budget amounts to P2,074,577,000. However, based on our current projections, this allocated amount is expected to be depleted by March at the latest,” Bonoan added.

“Once these funds are exhausted, there is a looming possibility of having to lay off road workers and laborers, which would have severe implications for our infrastructure maintenance efforts.”

“To address this impending shortfall and ensure the continuity of our routine maintenance activities, we are seeking P3 billion in additional funding from the unprogrammed funds. This supplementary allocation will augment the existing funds and enable us to sustain our routine maintenance operations until the end of May,” the public works secretary added. — Jose Rodel Clapano