Major reform sa proseso ng badyet sa DPWH, hirit ni Legarda
Ni Ernie Reyes
Mahigpit na nanawagan si Senador Loren Legarda para sa malawakang reporma sa budgeting process sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa ginanap na pagdinig ng Senate Finance Committee sa panukalang pondo ng ahensiya.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Legarda na kailangan ang reporma sanhi ng ilang taong overpricing at kawalan ng transparency kung paano pinaplano at isinasagawa ang proyektong pang-imprastraktura sa ahensiya.
“We are uprooting a system that has been left to worsen, not just in past years, but decades,” ani Legarda saka kinilalal ang hamon na kinahaharap ng ahensiya na kailangan nang agarang aksiyon.
“The changes must not be a mere change of face, but must be a change in systems.” Aniya.
Iginiit ni Legarda na sanhi ng kawalan ng malinaw, science-based way na ipamahagi ang infrastructure funds sa lahat ng legislative districts.
Inihalimbawa ni Legarda ang isang lalawigan na may maliit na populasyon at lupain pero nakakakuha ng mas malaking badyet habang kapos sa ibang lugar na malalawak ang sakop.’
Kaya aniya, kailangan ang isang “clear formula so that if anyone asks why their district gets a certain amount, there is no resentment because the process is based on facts, not on arbitrary decisions.”
Inamin ni DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon na hindi maipaliwanag ng ahensiya ng kasalukiuyang pormula pero nangako itong lulusawin sa 2027.
Binanggit ni Dizon ang guiding principle sa bagong sistem tulad ng pangangailangan, environmental risk, at readiness o absorptive capacity.
“We will make the formula simpler, more straightforward, and will really be responsive to the needs of the community, thereby making it more equitable. That is our commitment to the Senate and to the people,” ani Dizon.
Legarda welcomed the commitment but stressed that reform must begin now.
“We still have time to correct the 2026 budget before plenary. Let’s not wait for 2027. We are only halfway through the process,” giit naman ni Legarda.
Ernie Reyes nag-uulat para sa RoadNews
