• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has joined the call for stricter oversight, equitable distribution of funds, and lasting budget reforms amid serious concerns on how public funds are allocated in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets.
In a statement on Wednesday (July 30), he noted that while the vital sectors such as education, health care, and social protection are facing budget cuts, the Department of Public Works and Highways saw its budget balloon to over P1.11 trillion in 2025.
“This has drawn public criticism, with our kababayan now asking if pork barrel politics is back – just repackaged under a different label,” the lawmaker said.
Benitez said that “many now question the transparency and accountability of the budget process, and more importantly whether the final General Appropriations Act passed by Congress truly reflects the needs of ordinary Filipinos”.
He added that “one of the most alarming trends is the centralization of massive budget allocations to a few selected regions, provinces, or local government units”.
“Many local government units with urgent and legitimate needs are left underfunded. The disproportionate allocations run counter to the very principle of inclusive development,” he said.
“Every community, especially those that are underserved, should receive its fair share of national resources based on data, need, and long-term impact, not on political proximity or influence”.
To address these systemic issues, Benitez said he fully supports the proposed reforms filed by Navotas Lone District Rep. Toby Tiangco, whose bill calls for open plenary debates on all budget amendments, the creation of an independent appropriations committee, and stricter safeguards against the misuse of government aid programs.
“These are concrete and necessary steps toward restoring fairness, transparency, and accountability in the budget process,” Benitez said.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sent a firm message that questionable insertions and political maneuvering will not be tolerated under his administration.
“The national budget must reflect the real and pressing needs of our people. Every peso must be spent where it matters most: in our classrooms, health centers, public housing, livelihood programs, and local communities that have long been overlooked,” the President said. | GB
