Amid ongoing efforts to curb or eliminate budget insertions in the proposed 2026 National Budget, a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) analysis shows that House Speaker and Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III’s district is set to receive the single largest increase in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocation under the House version.

According to PCIJ’s matrix, the DPWH budget for Isabela’s 6th District — Dy’s home turf — jumps from P1.1 billion in the agency’s original proposal to P3.78 billion in the House-approved version. That’s an extra P2.68 billion added during House deliberations.

PCIJ notes that these additions are part of a wider pattern of “insertions,” which it estimates account for roughly two-thirds of the proposed 2026 DPWH budget.

The analysis also highlights House Appropriations Chair Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing and her sister, Sultan Kudarat Rep. Bella Vanessa Suansing, whose districts see some of the largest increases. Nueva Ecija’s 1st District jumps from P1.63 billion to P3.41 billion, while Sultan Kudarat’s 2nd District climbs from P2.3 billion to P3.88 billion.

PCIJ’s report focuses on the size of these increases and does not specify whether the additional funds are earmarked for flood control, roads, bridges, or other infrastructure projects.

Other districts with significant increases include Eastern Samar (Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales), Navotas City (Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco), Pangasinan’s 6th District (Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas), Davao del Norte’s 1st District (Rep. Carlo Uy), Davao de Oro’s 1st District (Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora), Isabela’s 5th District (Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III), and Misamis Oriental’s 2nd District (Rep. Yevgeny Vicente Emano).

Despite the large additions, House Appropriations Chair Mikaela Suansing insists the budget contains no “secret” flood-control items or hidden insertions. She emphasizes that the deliberations were public, hearings were livestreamed, and many DPWH funds were realigned to other agencies, such as the Department of Energy.

Her stance echoes remarks by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who has said that insertions are a normal part of crafting the General Appropriations Act.

However, other lawmakers, including Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, have repeatedly criticized the scale and opacity of such additions.

House leaders could not be reached for comment due to the ongoing bicameral conference for the P6.793-trillion national budget.

Lacson fires warning

During the bicameral conference, Lacson warned that granting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) request to restore items cut from its proposed 2026 budget could risk reopening the floodgates to insertions.

Lacson explained that the bicameral conference committee agreed to focus only on provisions where the House and Senate disagree. If the DPWH seeks to restore items not included in either version, it could violate that agreement and allow new, unplanned insertions.

He also made this stand during an earlier radio interview.

“If the DPWH appeals to restore its budget and the items it seeks are not in the House and Senate versions, it may open the floodgates to insert items that are not in either version,” Lacson said. “In the Bicam, if the items they want restored are not in the House and Senate versions, we would be violating our agreement to tackle only the disagreeing provisions, and the door would be open to insertions.”

The issue stems from cuts made to DPWH projects following adjustments in the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD).

Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian previously emphasized that the cuts were necessary due to unresolved flood control issues and overpriced items identified in the original DPWH proposal.

“Normally, proposals are aimed at increasing the budget. Later on, we will also see decreases, for example, in flood control. Within the DPWH, many allocations will also be reduced because the funds are not being utilized,” Gatchalian said during the bicameral hearings. He stressed that reducing costs not only saves money but also prevents overpricing, while ensuring that projects can still move forward.

Dizon: Restore budget

Meanwhile, Secretary Dizon has formally requested the Senate to restore the deducted amounts in a letter sent on Saturday.

Dizon said the motion for reconsideration is meant to ensure the updated CMPD is applied correctly, avoiding inaccurate costing, project delays, and potential underspending.

“To ensure that the DPWH Implementing Offices — Regional and District Engineering Offices —will strictly comply with the updated CMPD, a Department Order has been issued,” Dizon said. The order mandates adjustments to pay items in the Programs of Work, revisions to approved budgets, detailed documentation, quality assurance, and strict compliance before procurement. Dizon also warned that violations would be subject to administrative and criminal charges under existing laws.

As the bicameral conference continues its deliberations on the P6.793 trillion national budget, lawmakers are weighing the DPWH’s appeal against concerns over transparency, fiscal prudence, and adherence to the previously agreed rules of the bicameral process.