Politics · Philippines Bureau
DA budget flagged for infrastructure projects in impossible locations
Senators raised concerns over the Department of Agriculture's 2027 budget proposal after discovering farm-to-market road projects with coordinates placed in the ocean and disputed territorial waters. Watchdog groups warned the anomalies could signal a repeat of past budgeting irregularities.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture's proposed 2027 budget came under scrutiny during a Senate hearing Tuesday after auditors identified infrastructure projects with geographic coordinates pointing to impossible locations, including the Benham Rise and the Celebes Sea.
Senate lawmakers examined farm-to-market road projects listed in the DA's infrastructure allocations and discovered that the grid references for several initiatives placed them far offshore in waters without any agricultural activity. The revelation prompted concerns about the viability and legitimacy of the proposed expenditures.
People's Budget Coalition representative Ken Abante cautioned that the budget anomalies resembled previous government procurement scandals, warning of potential wasteful spending or misallocation of agricultural funds. The advocate called for a comprehensive review of all coordinates and project locations before Congress approves the budget.
The DA has not yet issued a formal response to the findings. The Senate is expected to conduct further investigation into the matter before the 2027 budget proceeds to a vote.