SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson questioned a proposed P3.06-billion allocation for evacuation centers under the 2027 budget, citing the uniform distribution of funds across all regions despite the absence of details on project locations.
Mr. Lacson said each of the country’s 17 regions had been allotted P180 million for evacuation center projects regardless of differing disaster risks and infrastructure needs.
“We observed that each of the 17 regions was given a P180-million lump sum for evacuation centers,” he said in a statement. “There were no details on where they would be located.”
The senator said budget planners should explain whether studies had been conducted to determine which regions require more evacuation facilities.
He also raised concerns that some spending items in the proposed 2027 budget could be used by politicians positioning themselves for the 2028 national elections.
“It could become an election or campaign budget this early because 2027 will bring us closer to the 2028 elections,” Mr. Lacson said.
The proposed 2027 budget totals P7.2 trillion, with P2.46 trillion, or 34.1%, allocated to social services under the Department of Budget and Management’s expenditure program.
Mr. Lacson said the proposal appeared “very generous” in terms of government assistance programs and urged policymakers to balance direct aid with long-term development spending.
“There’s nothing wrong with ayuda (aid) but we should also look at the long-term development side of how the budget is used,” he said.
The senator also renewed concerns about government spending on flood control projects.
He said about P1.939 trillion had been allocated for flood control projects from 2011 to 2025, based on data from previous General Appropriations Acts. Annual appropriations for flood control works rose from P11.323 billion in 2011 to P372.814 billion in 2025, he noted.
Mr. Lacson warned that the government could continue wasting public funds if flood control projects are implemented without a comprehensive master plan.
“Are we following a flood management program?” he asked. “If not, we are just wasting money because we have no direction.”
He also cited a lack of continuity between administrations in implementing major infrastructure programs.
“In the US, roads are planned for 20 years, regardless of which administration implements them,” Mr. Lacson said. “Here we are fond of groundbreaking, ribbon-cutting and rushing projects for completion before an administration’s term ends.”
The proposed 2027 budget includes P107.4 billion for flood control projects.
Earlier, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, who heads the Finance committee, pledged a comprehensive and transparent review of the proposed spending program, saying last-minute budget insertions would not be allowed.
The Senate is expected to begin detailed deliberations on the 2027 budget in the coming months, with lawmakers scrutinizing major infrastructure, social service and disaster-resilience allocations before final approval. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
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