Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito is urging the government to keep its infrastructure program moving, saying the recent slowdown in construction spending is already weighing down the country’s economic performance.
He warned that allowing projects to stall would only make it harder for the economy to regain momentum.
Ejercito said the flood control controversy must be addressed, but it should not derail development efforts. He noted that every peso spent on infrastructure produces P2.4 to P3 in economic activity, making it one of the most reliable drivers of growth.
According to him, accountability and progress can happen at the same time, and the country should not “let go of the vision” for long-term development while investigations continue.
The senator pointed to data from the Department of Budget and Management showing a sharp 43 percent drop in infrastructure spending, falling from P137.1 billion in the third quarter last year to P78.7 billion in the same period this year.
The decline coincided with weaker investment inflows and GDP growth slowing to 4 percent, the softest performance since the pandemic restrictions.
Ejercito said restoring confidence requires keeping construction activities on track while improving safeguards to address the irregularities raised in the flood control projects. He stressed that building projects must continue if the government wants to generate jobs, support businesses, and attract new investors.
During discussions on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed budget, he expressed support for the agency’s catch-up plan designed to speed up project implementation from late this year until early next year. He said this would help revive spending levels and stimulate economic activity that has slowed in recent months.
Ejercito also reiterated the need to redirect “savings” from questionable flood control projects toward infrastructure with wider economic benefits, including airports, seaports, and classrooms. He said these sectors offer stronger multiplier effects and can help the country recover faster.
Senate Finance Committee chair Win Gatchalian backed this proposal, saying such realignments could help sustain momentum in the infrastructure sector.
