MANILA — The House Committee on Appropriations scrutinized the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed P643.95-billion budget for 2027, with lawmakers pressing the agency on measures to ensure infrastructure funds are properly allocated and projects are implemented transparently.

The proposed budget is 21.34% higher than the DPWH’s allocation for 2026.

The briefing was presided over by Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr., vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and chair of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways.

Momo emphasized the need for stronger pre-construction coordination, particularly with local government officials and communities that would be affected by infrastructure projects.

He said residents should be informed before construction begins about a project’s purpose, scope, and potential impact on their communities.

Presenting the DPWH’s proposed 2027 budget, Secretary Vince Dizon said P83.84 billion would be earmarked for local flood mitigation programs, while P19 billion would fund ongoing foreign-assisted flood mitigation projects.

Dizon also outlined reforms aimed at tightening safeguards on the use of public funds, including the removal of the previous parametric formula used in determining the agency’s budget allocations.

The DPWH has instead adopted a Project Evaluation System under which proposed projects must undergo stricter evaluation and meet documentary and technical requirements before implementation.

Among the requirements are an approved and complete program of work, validated geotagged photographs with coordinates, a master plan, a feasibility study or equivalent local plan, and a Certificate of Implementability.

The certificate is intended to ensure that proposed projects are not duplicative and do not face implementation problems, including unresolved right-of-way issues.

Dizon acknowledged that the stricter screening process could slow project implementation but said the safeguards are necessary to strengthen transparency and accountability and ensure that government funds are directed only to projects ready for implementation.

He also proposed placing ongoing infrastructure projects under Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA) arrangements to provide more predictable funding for projects that span several years.

According to Dizon, the mechanism would help prevent disruptions caused by reduced allocations in succeeding annual budgets and allow ongoing projects to proceed continuously until completion.