Go mulls DoTr debate freeze

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) should explain delays in projects already funded under the 2026 national budget, saying agencies must account for previous appropriations before seeking billions of pesos more for 2027, a legislator said.

During Senate deliberations on the DoTr’s proposed 2027 budget on 18 September, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday cited the delayed development of Mati Airport in Davao Oriental, which Congress funded with P700 million under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

Go said he may seek to suspend consideration of the DoTr’s budget if the agency fails to satisfactorily explain the delays.

“If not, I will be constrained to request that the consideration of the DoTr’s proposed 2027 budget be suspended and not submitted to plenary until the department sufficiently explains the causes of the delay,” he said.

“I hope these projects can begin right away, before we approve the 2027 budget,” he added.

“What we are discussing here is the 2027 budget. But I just want to know, what is the status of the 2025 and 2026 projects? Will we approve 2027 projects when there are 2026 projects that have not even started?” Go asked.

“We are nearing the end of 2026 and it still hasn’t started. Why should we immediately approve 2027 projects?” he added.

Go said the problem extends beyond the DoTr and that Congress must closely examine how previous appropriations were used across government before approving succeeding budgets.

“We have noticed that many agencies keep getting 2027 budgets approved even as much of their 2025 and 2026 funds remain unused and their projects have not begun,” he said.

Go, who had strongly backed funding for the airport in earlier budget deliberations, citing its importance to Davao Oriental’s connectivity, tourism and economic development, said he was “deeply concerned” over the delay.