Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has flagged what he described as “questionable” lump-sum appropriations for infrastructure projects under the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027. Ahead of upcoming budget briefings, Lacson said he plans to seek clarification from executive officials regarding these non-itemized funds, noting that while lump sums are acceptable for unpredictable events like natural disasters, they raise serious concerns when allocated for capital infrastructure.
“We spotted lump sum appropriations that we don’t think should be lump sum. When we say lump sum appropriations, an aggregate amount is appropriated for a project, activity or program (PAP), or group of projects without detailing the breakdown of the cost of each PAP,” Lacson said during a radio interview. “Lump sum appropriations are allowed for calamity funds because we cannot predict when calamities occur. But it becomes questionable if it’s for infrastructure projects. That is what we saw and we will ask for details on the matter.”
Following the transmission of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress, Lacson and his team are scrutinizing the document for line items and special provisions that could risk policy abuse or misuse of unprogrammed appropriations. He recalled prior legislative cycles where bicameral conference committees inserted questionable provisions, such as allowing fund transfers from government-owned and controlled corporations like PhilHealth, and warned against repeating similar missteps.
Lacson also emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency standards during the budget review process, including livestreaming bicameral conference committee proceedings and publishing relevant documents online. He noted assurances from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito that last-minute insertions absent from both the House and Senate versions would be barred. “I hope this year that under Sen. JV’s chairmanship, he will fulfill his promise not to allow insertions in the bicam level,” Lacson said.
To tackle long-standing disconnects in national spending, the senator renewed his proposal to give local government units (LGUs) and Local Development Councils (LDCs) a larger voice in shaping the NEP. He urged the Department of Budget and Management to adjust its budget call timeline so local priorities, routed through Regional Development Councils (RDCs), are formally integrated before the spending plan is finalized.
Lacson pointed out that despite executive measures like Executive Order 82, which was issued to enhance RDC participation, local chief executives still routinely visit the Senate to request funding for omitted community projects. He illustrated the human cost of these planning gaps by citing a Bicol fishing village where residents once relied on improvised rail trolleys to transport their catch until a bridge project finally secured support, cutting transit times significantly.
“I was hoping EO 82 would be implemented properly, but it seems the situation has not quite been corrected. This early, we see many mayors visiting the Senate, telling us that their projects did not make it to the NEP. There is a disconnect,” Lacson remarked. “This is what I have been advocating since I entered the Senate 20-plus years ago. Local development councils must be given attention because they know their constituents’ needs.”