MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday urged the conduct of actual field verification of government projects to ensure the proper use of public funds.

He also supported the creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures and defended the higher allocation for social protection programs under the 2026 national budget, citing the need for tighter monitoring and stronger disaster preparedness.

“Huwag lang tayo mag-re-rely sa report ng secretary, ng mga director. Kailangan siguro talagang may tao tayo on the ground na i-check yung random (We should not just rely on reports of secretaries and directors. We really need people on the ground to conduct random checks),” Tulfo said during the Kapihan sa Senado.

Tulfo emphasized that on-ground inspections are especially important for big-ticket projects, including infrastructure and irrigation, as agencies have begun implementation following the enactment of the General Appropriations Act.

He also defended the increased funding for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), saying past calamities showed how quickly aid funds can be depleted.

“Nakita po natin last year na sunod-sunod po ‘yung bagyo (We saw last year that there were successive typhoons),” he said.

“Kaya this time around, we made sure na meron silang enough para doon sa mga contingency kagaya na sunod-sunod ng mga typhoon at earthquake (That is why this time we made sure they have enough funds for contingencies such as successive typhoons and earthquakes).”

Tulfo added that the MAIFIP expansion now allows indigent patients to access private hospitals when public facilities are already full.