The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vowed to work diligently in building necessary infrastructures that contribute to national development following the signing of the PhP6.326 trillion national budget for 2025.
In his statement during a Palace press briefing after the budget signing on Monday, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said they are honored for the full trust and confidence that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the legislators extended to the department.
“It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that these funds are used wisely and efficiently as well as professionally in the most transparent manner, proving ourselves, deserving of the trust placed on us. We are committed to making every cent of their contributions worth by delivering quality infrastructure that drives the national progress,” Bonoan said.
“Rest-assured that the Department of Public Works and Highways will continue to work diligently in support of the Bagong Pilipinas agenda advancing infrastructure that uplifts the lives of our fellow Filipinos.”
President Marcos vetoed roughly PhP26 billion in appropriations under the DPWH, which were deemed not totally supportive of the administration’s eight-point socio-economic agenda.
Bonoan added these projects need more scrutiny and must be ready for implementation.
“These are some of the projects not ready for implementation at this point. So, these are projects that we have deferred,” he explained.
There are also PhP168 billion worth of projects that are unprogrammed appropriations (UA), which were vetoed by the President.
The UA increased to 300 percent during the bicameral conference, making it almost 10 percent of the total budget. It was trimmed down to be consistent with the five percent standby fund, making it roughly 4.7 percent of the total budget.
In his speech, the President said he directly vetoed appropriations not responsive to the peoples’ needs. Conditional implementation on certain items was also pursued to ensure public funds are utilized according to authorized purposes, he added. (PND)
