DoF expects infrastructure spending to rebound in Q3 after May election slowdown

Infrastructure spending is expected to increase in the third quarter after a slowdown during the May elections, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).

Finance Undersecretary and Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez noted that spending on infrastructure declined by 9.2% to P123.8 billion in May due to election-related prohibitions.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has said disbursements are expected to improve in late May, while Nigel Paul C. Villarete of Libra Konsult, Inc., noted that spending slowdowns due to weather are common and accounted for in planning.

The government's target for public infrastructure spending is set at 5%-6% of gross domestic product, with a goal of P1.54 trillion for the year 2025.

Despite potential disruptions from weather events like up to 16 cyclones forecasted between August and December by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), officials maintain that these are regular occurrences factored into planning processes.