House leaders press for faster spending and better projects to support jobs

HOUSE leaders on Monday called for faster fund releases and timely work on public projects, arguing the proposed 2027 national budget should reach communities through jobs, services and facilities people need.

House Appropriations Senior Vice-Chair and Bataan Rep. Albert S. Garcia said the budget review sought to shift funds away from slow-moving items and toward priorities ready for implementation.

“Malaking bahagi ng ating ekonomiya is dependent on government spending,” Garcia said during Monday’s press conference in response to a question about jobs, inflation and economic conditions.

The National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart said lawmakers should assess the expected public benefit of a project when making allocation decisions.

He called for attention to the quality of the work alongside the number of projects funded.

“Hindi lang ‘yung quantity but also the quality of projects,” Garcia said.

He pointed to agency programs addressing employment and other public needs, then called for cooperation among national and local governments, civil society and the private sector.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo S. Momo Sr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP) pressed agencies to speed up payments and releases so approved projects would proceed. “Disbursement talaga kailangan bilisan natin,” he said.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan Rep. Brian Poe described the local transactions associated with public construction.

When a project proceeds, “that’s contractual labor that’s immediately hired,” he said.

He added “that’s local supplies that are immediately purchased.” Poe also described “that’s money that goes straight back into the economy.”

Poe said delayed fund releases also delayed the benefits residents expected from the budget. He urged prompt action once funding is available so work at the community level would begin.

Negros Oriental Rep. Janice Degamo of Lakas-CMD stressed speed alongside proper execution. “It will really translate to economics if mabilis yung ating pag-implement ng programs and projects, lalong lalo na po if in-implement ng tama,” she said.

Degamo illustrated her point with a road reaching a banana-producing community in the hinterlands.

She described farmers previously dependent on buyers who traveled uphill and offered low prices for their produce.

Degamo said rough transport damaged bananas and a usable road would help farmers bring produce downhill and seek better prices.

“Kaya the question is whether or not it translates to economics. Yes, it is,” Degamo said.