The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it will no longer consider projects inserted into the budget from lawmakers that were not studied as it pushes for a “menu” of pre-identified projects across the country.
“No, we cannot consider what is called insertion because that is not included in what we have studied,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in an interview with SuperRadyo dzBB.
To prevent issues with budget insertions, Pangandaman said the DBM is promoting a “menu” of pre-identified infrastructure projects, beginning with flood control programs.
The budget chief said that a menu of pre-approved projects would allow agencies and lawmakers to select from a list of thoroughly evaluated projects.
“I hope it doesn’t come from something that wasn’t studied, that was just put there, because that menu we prepared would be wasted,” she added.
According to Pangandaman, these infrastructure projects are already aligned with national priorities and available funding under the President’s budget or the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“What we thought would be good is to have a menu of projects throughout the Philippines. If we can do it right away, let’s say in flood control and water management, we can identify 10. Let’s say, then we get funding from the President’s budget or the NEP, if they think that’s not a priority right now, they can look at the other menu we have,” Pangandaman said.
Pangandaman also said that the government is moving toward a more “coordinated and data-driven approach” for allocating funds, especially for flood mitigation.
“Flood mitigation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many possible approaches depending on the location and area,” Pangandaman said.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President directed the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Regional Project Monitoring Committee to provide a list of all flood control projects in the past three years and identify the failed and non-existent projects.
She added that this principle has already been integrated into the national budget process.
By involving all agencies in project planning, Pangandaman said that the government can maximize efficiency, save funds, and ensure projects are properly planned and executed.
President Marcos, in July approved the P6.793-trillion NEP for Fiscal Year 2026.
