Knee-jerk budget cuts

Knee-jerk budget cuts | Daily Tribune

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon was present as a resource person during the livestreamed Bicam deliberations for the (especially singled out) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget. With all that heat from the flood control corruption controversy, it should be no surprise that the DPWH’s budget for 2026 was put through the wringer.

Manang Imee was all up in arms, ready to pounce on the Marcos Cabinet’s golden boy, Secretary Vince Dizon, at every opportunity. There were a few instances worth mentioning. But the standout — the accusation that the DPWH was holding the Senate hostage with the secretary’s dire warning that the budget cut would mean a delay since no early procurements may be undertaken due to the uncertainty of what projects would be funded under the approved GAA. Dizon also stressed its negative impact on the economy.

In fairness to Dizon, he held his ground and rightly so. Infrastructure projects have already been delayed by the flood control corruption scandal. That considerable delay will only be further compounded by the looming budget cut for the DPWH (should it push through).

The interpellation highlighted the detachment of the lawmakers from the realities and practicalities of execution on the ground. Sec Vince simply spoke the truth. And yes, the truth hurts since Dizon had the balls to pass the buck to the Senate.

Many challenges behind the scenes that were lost to most — 2025 was mired in so much controversy that it necessitated changes in key Cabinet posts. Every time the head of an agency is changed, it takes time to get back to business as usual. First, if he is coming in fresh, he has to familiarize himself with the mandate and business of the agency, then he will need to build his team and that team will have to learn the ropes, too.

The revamps at the DPWH, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Office of the Executive Secretary meant an overhaul of senior officials at those agencies, all while dealing with the 2026 budget and the widespread corruption allegations.

But once again, the legislature resorted to its default knee-jerk reaction to the corruption issue at the DPWH by cutting its budget without first carefully considering its impact. Instead of fast-tracking the building of many needed key and legacy infrastructure projects, Congress’ response was to cut the DPWH budget. Never mind that the cut will mean a delay in the realization of long-overdue projects.

It also doesn’t help that the government has not been transparent as to the extent of the damage and the impact of the corruption scandal. Not that we can blame them, since they shouted fire and found their house (the Palace) burning alongside everyone else’s.

We are not just talking about the erosion of the political capital of the Marcoses and the Romualdezes, or the lost chance at redemption or vindication for the family after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. This is about political instability, the loss of credibility and opportunities to attract direct foreign investments, the weakening of the peso against the dollar and the stagnation of economic growth due to the lack of confidence in the government and its leadership.

Maybe some legislators just feel the need to be perceived as safeguarding the public interest, regardless of the truth and the fact that their actions actually cause more harm than good to the nation. Ignorance is bliss. But as the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago famously said: Stupid is forever.