NUP flags delays, non-release of funds for infra, social programs; DSWD says no delays

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The National Unity Party (NUP), which has 58 members in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday alleged delayed fund releases for infrastructure projects and social programs funded under the 2025 and 2026 national budget.

“We are concerned about persistent reports of significant delays in the release of funds for infrastructure projects authorized under the 2025 and 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). With approximately 40 percent of DPWH projects under the 2026 GAA reportedly still awaiting execution, these delays have placed severe financial and operational strain on affected provinces and districts,” the NUP said in a statement read by its chairman Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo.

The NUP said that there appears to be an uneven and selective approach in the programming and continuation of Department of Public Works and Highways projects across certain districts and provinces, with a number of multi-year, previously prioritized DPWH flagship projects reportedly excluded from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) despite years of prior funding and physical execution.

“In certain districts and provinces, projects that had been identified and funded were later declared non-implementable by the Department’s district offices, without explanation,” the NUP added.

“The consequence of all this is felt most by local communities because every unreleased peso drives up project costs through delay, and leads directly to unbuilt roads, unopened classrooms, and lost local jobs. We believe that everyone should ensure the adherence of the preparation and execution of the national budget to established rules and reasonable standards,” the NUP added.

Likewise, the NUP said that funds already allocated to the districts or sectors under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations under the Department of Social Welfare an Development as well as Medical Assistance for AICS worth P300 million and Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) worth P120 million under the Department of Health have been withheld or impounded.

“AICS and MAIFIP are poverty-alleviation and social-protection lifelines for our people in dire need. It remains our firm position that the distribution and continuity of national resources, whether during initial budget preparation or final fund releases, and whether for infrastructure or for social services, should be ensured,” the NUP pointed out.

NUP said its call is in accordance with the 2025 Supreme Court decision on the PhilHealth case which declared that public funds should be allocated and released according to law and to standards fixed in advance, not according to the preferences of whoever holds the funds at a given moment.

“Withholding the districts’ appropriated projects for whatever reason, or declaring them non-implementable after they have been funded, or impounding social assistance already allocated, is the kind of discretion the Court has said the Constitution does not allow,” the NUP said.

GMA News Online asked the DPWH and DSWD for comment but they have yet to issue statements as of posting time. —KG, GMA News