A Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) data shows that Sarangani Representative Steve Solon obtained the largest share, averaging 2.76 billion per year, amounting to approximately 8.3 billion over three years. Meanwhile, General Santos City Representative Loreto “Ton” Acharon followed with an average annual allocation of 2.44 billion, totaling about 7.34 billion during the same period.

Together, these amounts surpass the annual budgets of several government agencies, yet details about how these funds are allocated and prioritized remain scarce. Neither public announcements nor open congressional debates have shed light on the selection process for projects funded through these allocations.

A system operating behind the scenes

Reports indicate that an internal system, reportedly managed by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, determines the distribution of these allocables. This arrangement has been in effect since 2023, following the Supreme Court’s abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which was declared unconstitutional.

Some observers note that the current allocables system appears to revive similar mechanisms, with billions of pesos routed through the DPWH budget, pre-assigned to specific congressional districts, and only loosely connected to the President’s National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The criteria guiding these allocations are not publicly disclosed. There are no clear guidelines or official lists explaining why certain lawmakers receive significantly larger shares of the budget compared to others.

Questions surrounding the use of funds

Because allocables are embedded within the DPWH’s extensive budget, tracking the actual use of these funds is challenging for ordinary citizens. The allocations are distributed across “multi-year projects” often described in broad terms such as “road improvement” or “bridge widening,” with little detailed information available through transparency portals.

This opacity raises important questions: Are these projects genuinely prioritized according to need? Who selects the contractors for these projects? Were local communities consulted? And how vulnerable are these funds to misuse, such as overpricing or irregularities?

Local watchdog groups highlight that corruption in infrastructure projects often takes the form of “ghost projects,” inflated costs, and pre-arranged contractors — problems that may be exacerbated when district allocations lack detailed public disclosure.

Unequal budget shares and political implications

The sizable allocations directed to Solon and Acharon underscore a broader issue: allocable funds are distributed unevenly among districts. While some lawmakers receive a few hundred million pesos, others, often political elites or administration allies, secure billions.

This disparity has led some critics to suggest that allocables may function as a political reward system, potentially reinforcing support for the majority bloc in Congress while sidelining dissenting voices.

Constituents remain in the dark

Despite the billions allocated on paper to General Santos City and Sarangani, many residents remain unaware of the specific projects funded by these monies. Several communities still face gaps in essential infrastructure such as reliable roads, water systems, and flood control measures. Local officials report that they were not always consulted or informed about projects tied to congressional allocables.

This lack of transparency creates a concerning disconnect between public spending and public awareness, raising calls for greater openness.

The larger question

If the PDAF was abolished to end political patronage and enhance budget transparency, why does a system appear to exist that channels even larger sums of money to select lawmakers without clear public oversight?

Advocates urge Congress and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to disclose detailed project lists, clarify allocation criteria, and implement mechanisms that allow citizens to track public spending effectively.

Without these reforms, allocables risk becoming a reincarnation of pork barrel funds — bigger, less transparent, and harder to monitor.