DPWH asks P7.3B in lump sum appropriations

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has proposed 13 lump sum appropriations totalling P7.37 billion for fiscal year 2027, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon presented during the agency’s Senate budget hearing on Friday.

Previously, senators have flagged appropriations that are not itemized, cautioning against a repeat of the infrastructure project scandal.

But Dizon explained that several of the applications for its listed lump sums are primarily for rehabilitations and repairs across the country, assuring that the agency would submit to the Congress should it place safeguards in the use of the unitemized appropriations.

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“Please po if the Senate wants to add special provisions that will protect the management of this lumpsum, we will be more than happy to abide by whatever safeguards the Senate wants,” Dizon vowed.

(Please if the Senate wants to add special provisions that will protect the management of this lumpsum, we will be more than happy to abide by whatever safeguards the Senate wants.)

Among the major appropriations is the P1 billion funding for the administration’s nationwide Oplan Kontra Baha project.

Dizon specified that the P1-billion fund will be used for the repair, rehabilitations, improvements and maintenance of flood management and drainage systems in flood prone areas across the country, highlighting that the dredging efforts of the agency thus far have reduced flooding in some parts of the country.

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“Importanteng importante po ito but unfortunately, it is not a regular part of the budget of the DPWH.This is why we are asking for this amount to dredge, this is a nationwide effort to dredge,” Dizon told the panel.

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(This is important but unfortunately, it is not a regular part of the budget of the DPWH. This is why we are asking for this amount to dredge, this is a nationwide effort to dredge.)

Another P1 billion lump sum appropriation proposed by the agency is for the DPWH’s Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation of disaster-related infrastructure and facilities.

The DPWH also asked for P700-M each for construction, rehabilitation of road slips, critical drainage structures, and road safety facilities.

According to Dizon, in the previous year, the DPWH – in response to collapses and accidents – has been using savings to do constructions due to strict line itemized budgets.

He noted that collapsing structures not caused by disasters or other infrastructures that require urgent fixes may not be marked as routine maintenance and other operating expenses.

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Dizon also listed the following items the DPWH requested lump sum appropriations for:

• P520 million for construction of coastal engineering structures for disaster resiliency
• P500 million for rehabilitation or major repair of permanent bridges
• P500 million for replacement of weak bridges
• P500 million for retrofitting strengthening of permanent bridges
• P500 million for rehabilitation, improvements, or retrofitting of public buildings in preparation for the Big One
• P400 million for construction, rehabilitation, or repairs of local and national building structures
• P200 million for installation of electric vehicle charging stations
• P150 million for the improvement and rehabilitation of pumping stations, drainage systems and flood gates /mr