• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Returning Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has joined the snowballing calls 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.
While the vital sectors, such as education, health care, and social protection, are facing budget cuts, Benitez, who did not vote for the retention of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as the House Speaker of the 20th Congress, noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) saw its budget balloon to over P1.11 trillion in 2025, stressing also that social key social services were deprioritized and are now underfunded.
This has drawn public criticism, with our kababayan now asking if pork barrel politics is back – just repackaged under a different label, the Bacolod solon said.
Many now question the transparency and accountability of the budget process, and—more importantly – whether the final General Appropriations Act (GAA) passed by Congress truly reflects the needs of ordinary Filipinos, Benitez said.
He also noted that one of the most alarming trends is the centralization of massive budget allocations, to a few selected regions, provinces, or local government units.
While some areas receive overwhelming funding – often for local infrastructure – many LGUs with urgent and legitimate needs are left underfunded, Benitez said, noting that the disproportionate allocations run counter to the very principle of inclusive development.
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. At the same time, vital sectors such as education, health care, and social protection are facing budget cuts.
To address these systemic issues, Benitez said he fully supports the proposed reforms filed by 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, the solon added.
President Bongbong Marcos in his State of the Nation Address 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, Benitez said.*
