Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman is seeking an increase in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, saying that infrastructure projects are vital in generating employment in provinces and remote areas.
Hataman made the appeal as he lamented the department’s budget cut of P64.8 billion compared to 2022 figures.
Under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the national government to Congress, DPWH has a slashed proposed budget of P717.31 billion, down by 8.7 percent from this year’s P785.24 billion approved budget.Hataman raised the question after one of the sponsors of the proposed national budget, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, said in her sponsorship speech stated that one guiding principle in crafting the 2023 spending bill is economic recovery.
Quimbo explained the infrastructure budget is not only lodged in DPWH but in other agencies as well. In fact, Quimbo added, the proposed national budget also contains funds to enhance digital infrastructure, bringing the infrastructure allocation to P1.019 trillion in total.
Quimbo said DBCC will yield to the wishes of Congress and that she is one with Hataman in saying that there is inadequate infrastructure spending. She said she will support Hataman if he proposes to increase infrastructure spending.