The Marcos administration is accelerating the implementation of public infrastructure projects while maintaining strict oversight of public funds, according to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon.
Addressing delays in procurement, awarding, and execution remains the primary focus to spur a recovery in public construction starting in the third quarter. De Leon clarified that speeding up infrastructure spending will not come at the expense of fiscal governance.
“No. We are not proposing any relaxation of safeguards. In fact, we want more safeguards,” De Leon stated, emphasizing that the objective is to eliminate administrative bottlenecks rather than weaken audit and validation mechanisms.
To support this push, the DBM has released the necessary allotments to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), enabling project implementation to pick up speed through August and September.
Fiscal controls are embedded early in the budget preparation process. Proposed projects for the upcoming FY 2027 National Budget must demonstrate technical readiness, alignment with the Philippine Development Plan, and endorsement from relevant Regional Development Councils before securing funding.
Under the proposed 2027 National Budget, the government has earmarked P1.467 trillion for infrastructure development, equivalent to 4.4 percent of GDP and a 13.8 percent increase from the FY 2026 level. Within this allocation, the DPWH is set to receive P643.95 billion, representing a 21.29 percent increase over its current budget.
De Leon emphasized that increased allocations must be paired with timely execution to deliver tangible economic benefits, noting that speed and accountability must move together to ensure every public peso yields well-planned, quality infrastructure.