Senate President Win Gatchalian is exploring a proposal to shift the execution of Philippine National Police (PNP) infrastructure developments back to the police force from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to improve oversight and fiscal responsibility.
Speaking Thursday during the Senate review of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) proposed 2027 budget, Gatchalian highlighted troubling findings regarding the DPWH-managed TIKAS program.
“According to this COA (Commission on Audit) report, almost ₱8.9 billion, this is about 331 projects, is either unrecorded, incomplete supporting documents, or uncompleted,” Gatchalian said.
The Senate President recalled that lawmakers raised similar red flags during the previous year’s budget hearings, citing ground-level coordination issues on projects designated for police camps and facilities.
He suggested that authorizing the PNP to handle bidding and direct implementation would make tracking progress simpler and clarify organizational liability for project delays.
“Ganitong pag-transfer sa PNP, effective ba? O mas prefer n’yo pa rin sa DPWH? It’s for accountability,” Gatchalian asked.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that the police organization has begun auditing facilities funded via TIKAS and other DPWH-led convergence initiatives.
“Upon my assumption, I already accounted or asked the different units in the PNP to account all of the projects that are covered with TIKAS,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez acknowledged that while police units originally requested the infrastructure, execution remained solely in DPWH hands.
“It’s true that we have requested those projects, but those projects are being implemented by the DPWH,” he said.
Gatchalian indicated he would consider reallocating these project allocations back to the police force, provided the Senate Finance Committee approves.
“We’ll transfer again itong mga (these) items with the permission, of course, of our finance chair, to the PNP,” he said.
Nartatez voiced support for the proposal, agreeing that the PNP could carry out developments geared toward police operational needs more efficiently.
Gatchalian stressed that lawmakers are focusing on proper documentation, project completion, and successful operational turnover, rather than just the release of public funds.
The Senate Committee on Finance will evaluate the proposed realignment as hearings on the DILG’s 2027 budget continue toward plenary presentation.