MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Friday revealed that P397.22 billion “parked pork” was lodged in the proposed P1.1-trillion infrastructure budget for 2021.
During a briefing by the Development Budget Coordinating Council (DBCC), Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas pointed out the “parked pork” infused in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed fund comprises of 60 percent of its total budget.
The P397.22 billion, Brosas added, are lump-sum funds lodged in the DPWH Central Office “without any breakdown, unlike in previous budget documents.”
“In the 2020 General Appropriations Act, details of DPWH projects – Central Office, it is clear that specific infrastructure programs are accounted for in the subtotal,” Brosas said.
“But as we look at the 2021 National Expenditure Program, there are no details or any breakdown of a number of appropriations under the Central Office. This means that the infrastructure program is far from ‘shovel-ready’,” she added.
Brosas added that the P397.2-billion worth of infrastructure budget should have a breakdown.
“This is three times the DOH budget of P131.7 billion for next year. Lump-sum pa lang, taob na ng tatlong ulit ang DOH (Department of Health),” Brosas said.
(When it comes to a lump sum, it already beat DOH’s budget.)
“The P397.2 billion lump sum for DPWH Central Office points to the persistence of pork funds amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the blessing of no less than the President,” she added.
“May badyet para sa pork at korapsyon pero mumo ang inilalaan para sa tugon sa pandemya at serbisyo.”
(We have a budget for pork and corruption, but very little is allotted for pandemic response and service.)
The lower chamber of Congress has begun its deliberations on the proposed P4.505 trillion national budget for 2021.
The first budget hearing is dedicated to the DBCC, composed of the Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. [ac]