Palace: Vetoed P95.3B DPWH appropriations won’t affect infra projects

MANILA, Philippines — The vetoed P95.3-billion appropriations under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would not affect the government’s infrastructure projects, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the assurance after Malabon City Rep. Federico Sandoval, vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said some flood control projects in his district were affected by the President’s veto.

Sought for comment, Panelo dismissed this concern, saying that the DPWH has already identified the priority projects of the government.

“It (infrastructure projects) won’t be affected because the DPWH already has a program [of priority projects]. DPWH should know what should be the priority,” he said.

“Definitely,” he responded when asked if he disagreed with the observation that President’s veto would affect the administration’s infrastructure program.

Duterte, in his veto message, said the P95.3 billion appropriations were “items of appropriation under the DPWH which are not within the programmed priorities.”

READ: Duterte on vetoed P95.3B: I will not tolerate attempts to circumvent Constitution

Of the P95,374,241,000 vetoed amount, P94,564,241,000 were supposed to be allocated for the construction of a school building, national and local roads, flood control projects, and water management projects.

Despite the veto, Panelo expressed confidence that Congressional support for Duterte would remain.

“Of course, yes,” he said, adding that Congress understood why the President vetoed some provisions in the budget. /ee

READ: Duterte signs 2019 national budget; vetoes P95.3B