PBBM Approves ₱529.6 billion DPWH Budget!: DPWH Infrastructure Budget Allocation for 2026

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MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially signed Republic Act 12314, the ₱6.793 trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2026, signaling a decisive pivot in the administration’s “Build Better More” program.

While the education and health sectors received historic increases, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secured a ₱529.6 billion allocation. This figure represents a strategic tightening of the purse strings—significantly lower than the originally proposed ₱880 billion—reflecting a new fiscal discipline that prioritizes the maintenance of existing assets over the proliferation of new, unverified construction projects.

The “Quality Over Quantity” Shift

The 2026 DPWH budget is characterized by a “Maintenance-First” policy, particularly in flood control. In a major move to curb inefficiency, the final budget includes zero funding for new locally-funded flood control projects. Instead, resources are heavily concentrated on maintaining and rehabilitating existing drainage systems and structures.

“The 2026 budget marks a transition toward quality over quantity,” noted a palace insider. “By focusing on the maintenance of current assets and the completion of vital connectivity projects, we are building a more resilient and economically integrated Philippines.”

Image from Philippine News Agency

Budget Allocation by Key Sectors

The DPWH’s ₱529.6 billion portfolio is engineered to drive economic recovery through three primary pillars:

• Asset Preservation (Roads & Bridges): This is the year’s top priority. A massive portion of the budget is dedicated to the routine maintenance and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges to extend their lifespan and ensure public safety.
• Network Development: Funding is directed toward completing ongoing widening projects that link agricultural hubs to urban markets, rather than starting new road networks from scratch.
• Convergence and Special Support: Specific allocations remain for infrastructure that directly supports tourism, trade, and industry, such as access roads leading to airports, seaports, and declared economic zones.

Priority Regions: The Big Winners

The 2026 budget emphasizes regional equity, with specific regions gaining significantly from the maintenance-focused allocation:

1. Eastern Visayas (Region 8)

Region 8 emerged as the top beneficiary for road maintenance, securing the largest slice of the road preservation fund (approx. ₱704.9 million for routine maintenance alone). The region’s total allocation across all agencies is estimated at ₱245.9 billion, positioning it as a primary focus for national development and disaster resilience efforts.

2. Davao Region (Region 11)

Ranking second in maintenance priority, the Davao Region received a robust allocation for maintaining its extensive road network. The Regional Development Council (RDC XI) had endorsed a substantial infrastructure portfolio to support the region’s booming agri-industrial sector.

3. Negros Island Region (NIR)

As the country’s newest administrative region, the NIR has been earmarked with specific funds to establish its regional operations. While the total proposed regional budget (across all agencies) was approximately ₱105 billion, the DPWH has allocated specific funds—including ₱579 million for road maintenance—to ensure the new region’s infrastructure backbone is solid from day one.

Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) Update

Despite the tighter fiscal space, the administration remains committed to high-impact “Mega Bridges” and connectivity projects, often funded through foreign-assisted loans:

• Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB): The project received a confirmed ₱2.145 billion allocation for 2026 to continue its implementation. The massive undertaking, with packages valued at over ₱150 billion, is key to decongesting Metro Manila.
• Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges: The budget sustains pre-construction activities and initial phases with an allocation of approximately ₱96 million. The project remains a critical long-term goal for Visayan connectivity.
• Metro Manila Subway: While primarily under the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the DPWH continues to provide critical support for right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation.

Flood Control: A Strategic Pause

Contrary to previous years of massive spending on new dikes, the 2026 budget focuses strictly on maintenance.

• Regional Flood Control: Each of the 18 regions received a standard ₱100 million allocation specifically for the routine maintenance of flood control systems and drainage repairs.
• River Basins: Essential maintenance funds (ranging from ₱30 million to ₱50 million) were approved for major systems like the Cagayan, Tagoloan, and Imus Rivers to ensure they function correctly during typhoon season.

Economic Impact & Oversight

Disaster Resilience: The shift to maintenance is a direct response to climate change. By repairing and reinforcing existing structures rather than building substandard new ones, the government aims to ensure actual resilience against typhoons and earthquakes.

Corruption Control: To prevent leakage, the DPWH is strictly implementing the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD) system. This oversight mechanism has already generated significant savings by identifying and rejecting overpriced material cost estimates during the budgeting phase.