Senator Imee Marcos raised concerns over the allegedly missing budget proposal of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the first day of deliberations of the bicameral conference committee on Saturday, December 13.
“Wala po akong nakikitang budget ng DPWH at kung talagang transparency ang habol natin, bakit wala dito ang pinagmulan ng pagpupuot at kawalang kumpiyansa ng taumbayan sa atin?” Marcos said.
“Dapat mag-umpisa ang usapin dito sa Public Works pero wala sa anumang papel sa nine-page summary o dito man sa binigay sa amin kahapon lamang na reconciliation of disagreeing provisions… Wala akong nakikitang budget ng DPWH,” she added.
In response, Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Win Gatchalian said that the DPWH budget is scheduled to be discussed on Sunday.
“Ang schedule po ng DPWH ay bukas po… May mga ibang items na bukas po itatalakay katulad po ng special purpose funds, unprogrammed appropriations,” Gatchalian said.
He also assured that Marcos would be given a copy of the budget earlier to allow more time for review.