DBM, DPWH to review 2026 budget in two weeks

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon have agreed to a two-week timeline to review the department's proposed 2026 budget.

This review is in response to concerns about project inconsistencies and double entries raised by lawmakers, leading to the unprecedented move of Congress returning the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the executive branch.

Secretary Dizon, who is on his third day as the new public works secretary, acknowledged the 700-page budget proposal and stated that while he is new to the DPWH budget process, the two-week deadline is sufficient.

He clarified that the review will focus on questioned items rather than every line item.

Pangandaman explained that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will submit an "errata" to Congress within the two-week period, detailing any changes, replacements, or removals made to the DPWH's budget.

This process is expected to be more efficient than a back-and-forth between the executive and legislative branches.