Rep Leviste questions DPWH budget allocation favoring less populated regions

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste has flagged alleged disparities in the proposed 2026 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, claiming less populated regions received larger allocations than more populated ones.

Leviste cited the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), with 1.81 million people, receiving P17.00 billion, while Western Visayas, with 4.86 million people, was allocated P16.37 billion.

He further noted that regions like Central Luzon, CALABARZON, the National Capital Region, and Pangasinan, which comprise nearly 41% of the population and contribute 60% of the economy, received only about 25% of the DPWH budget.

Leviste suggested that the DPWH budget could be more equitably managed if allocated to local government units (LGUs) through the National Tax Allotment, which uses a formula based on population, land area, and equal sharing.

The lawmaker also alleged that DPWH budgets are sometimes allocated not based on need but to enable substandard projects for increased profit margins.