Infra chiefs lay down realized, underway projects at EJAP meet

Amid the still lagging infrastructure projects in the country as it is being hounded by corruption controversies, the heads of the country’s three infrastructure agencies will report on what has been delivered, what is underway, and what will be completed through 2028 in the up coming Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum 2026

The forum, happening today at the InLife Building, Makati City, themed "Connected Philippines: Building the Nation's Infrastructure Backbone," will bring together Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Banoy Lopez, and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary David Almirol for a consolidated "State of the Build" presentation covering the nation's physical and digital infrastructure program.

The Budget Department earlier admitted that infrastructure spending remained sharply below year-ago levels in the first seven months of 2026, citing its National Government Disbursement Performance report, which stated that infrastructure and other capital outlays reached P89.6 billion in July, down P3.7 billion, or roughly 4 percent, from P93.3 billion a year earlier.

While the gap narrowed significantly from the 40.8-percent decline recorded in June, the improvement came against a much deeper year-to-date shortfall. Infrastructure and other capital outlays totaled P457.0 billion from January to July, down P256.5 billion, or 36 percent, from the same period last year.

The country’s roads, bridges, railways, airports, ports, and fiber networks now form one connectivity backbone that determines how fast people move, how much goods cost, and how quickly data flows across the archipelago.

Under the current infrastructure program, the DPWH, DoTr, and DICT have flagship projects moving toward completion, new investment frameworks opening the digital sector, and private capital taking a growing role in delivery.

"For too long, we have covered infrastructure in silos: a road here, a rail line there, a fiber rollout somewhere else. But the people who pay for these projects experience them as one system, and they deserve one clear accounting of it," said EJAP President John Ted Cordero.

"This forum puts the three agencies driving the national build on the same stage, on the record, and accountable to the same questions on delivery, timelines and quality,” he added.

Dizon will open the program with an address on the physical backbone, covering roads, bridges, and resilient public works.

Lopez will follow with a report on moving people and goods across rail, aviation, maritime and road transport.

Almirol, for his part, will close the segment with a presentation on moving data, focusing on connectivity, digital infrastructure, and what the agency calls the open access era.

Senior executives from the forum's Gold sponsors will then present how the private sector is investing in, building alongside, or riding on the national infrastructure network.