Politics · Philippines Bureau
House backs Senate bid to axe undocumented budget projects
The House of Representatives has expressed support for the Senate's move to remove infrastructure projects lacking proper documentation from next year's P7.2-trillion national budget. The Senate is set to eliminate approximately 295 projects worth P8.8 billion over documentation deficiencies.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said Thursday that lawmakers in the House of Representatives support the Senate's initiative to exclude projects without adequate documentation from the proposed P7.2-trillion budget for next year.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced Tuesday that the Senate would strike about 295 infrastructure projects valued at P8.8 billion from the budget bill due to insufficient documentation and supporting papers.
The move represents a significant effort by Congress to strengthen fiscal discipline and ensure accountability in government spending. By removing projects that lack proper records and justification, lawmakers aim to prevent wasteful expenditures and maintain public trust in the budgetary process.
The decision reflects growing legislative scrutiny over infrastructure allocations, with both chambers of Congress working to verify that all funded projects meet required documentation standards before approval of the national budget for the coming fiscal year.