The Makati Business Club is calling for an audit of infrastructure projects, saying the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has jumped 20 times over the past two decades, while flood control projects were allocated P1.2 trillion from 2023 to 2026.
“We support the President’s call during his third State of the Nation Address to address corruption by auditing infrastructure, and in particular, flood control projects, as well as his recent order for lifestyle checks on all government officials,” the MBC said in a statement.
The group also backed Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 on improving transparency and accountability in the Bicameral Committee deliberations, which the MBC said acted as a “black box” where insertions for unprogrammed funds were executed during the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) process.
The business group said the 20-fold increase in the DPWH budget was disproportionate compared to most other agencies, even with inflation adjustments.
“Within DPWH, flood control has one of the largest fund allotments, now accounting for about one-third of all infrastructure outlays. From 2023 to 2026 alone, flood control projects received over P1.2 trillion, with P250 billion programmed in 2026 [excluding local and convergence allocations],” the group said.
Despite years of record-high allocations, the group noted that there has been no explanation for the persistence of devastating floods with every rainfall.
“We should also deeply examine the Convergence and Special Support Programs [CSSP] is a catch-all program that finances multipurpose buildings, local roads, streetlights, basketball courts, waiting sheds, and other highly discretionary projects,” the group said.
The MBC said the broad and undefined scope of the CSSP makes it vulnerable to “political discretion and pork-barrel type insertions.” It also said the projects are subject to weak transparency and audit mechanisms, posing significant risks for “waste and misuse of taxpayer money.”
The MBC noted that through House Resolution No. 94, it has been accredited as a civil society organization to serve as an observer and active participant in upcoming budget deliberations.
“We welcome this recognition as an opportunity to monitor, question, and ensure that the 2026 General Appropriations Act will be crafted to serve its purpose which are in the best interest and needs of the Filipino people,” it said.
