Sen. JV Ejercito has expressed concern over an estimated ₱206 billion in realignments in the proposed national budget, particularly changes affecting major infrastructure projects and preventive health care programs.
Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the realignments included funds for foreign-assisted infrastructure projects, such as the Metro Manila Subway and other railway systems, as well as health programs.
“Marami kaming napansin na malaki ang pagbabago from the NEP to the House General Appropriations Bill na nasa 206 billion ang aming estimate na nagalaw dito, so medyo malaki ang diperensya,” Ejercito said.
He said not all amendments were necessarily detrimental but stressed the need to carefully review the changes and strike a balance between requests for local funding and the continued implementation of major infrastructure projects.
Ejercito said the proposed budget adjustments must be examined to ensure that projects with long-term economic benefits are not sacrificed.
The senator also warned that the Philippines was falling behind its regional neighbors in infrastructure development, potentially affecting its ability to attract investments and generate jobs.
“Napagiiwanan na tayo ng Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia in terms of infrastructure development. Sa kanila pumunta ang investment, negosyo trabaho,” he said.
Asked whether the realignments could become a contentious issue during the bicameral conference committee proceedings, Ejercito said he had yet to receive a response from the House contingent.
However, he said he had been in communication with acting House appropriations committee chairman Albert Garcia and Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, with a meeting expected to initiate discussions on the budget changes.
The Senate is expected to scrutinize the proposed national budget while the impeachment court is on a three-week break to allow senators to focus on deliberating the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
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