Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize a 30-year infrastructure masterplan to shield public works from political interference and curb last-minute budget insertions that weaken government spending.
The proposed Senate Bill No. 1652, or the Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND) Act, aims to ensure that major infrastructure projects continue uninterrupted across administrations and that funds are directed toward projects with the highest return on investment and widest impact.
“Kailangang masiguro natin ang pag-unlad ng bansa nang walang political interference,” Gatchalian said.
The senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, stressed the importance of accountability in infrastructure spending.
“Dahil mas malaking bahagi ng pambansang pondo ay napupunta sa imprastraktura, kailangang matiyak na bawat piso ay nagagastos sa mga proyektong tunay na pakikinabangan ng mga karaniwang Pilipino,” he said.
Gatchalian cited Department of Budget and Management data showing that national infrastructure allocations grew by an average of 7.9% annually from 2022 to 2025.
He emphasized that anchoring the masterplan in law would protect long-term projects from shifting political priorities.
“Kapag ang masterplan ay naka-angkla sa batas, hindi ito madaling palitan at maipagpapatuloy ang mga importanteng imprastraktura kahit na magpalit-palit pa ang mga nasa pwesto,” he said.