By Alexaia Bangayan

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Tuesday, October 28, that the Senate plans to remove around P42 billion in “ayuda” or social assistance funds from the unprogrammed appropriations in the proposed 2026 national budget.

Lacson said the move aims to keep unprogrammed appropriations solely for foreign-assisted projects, warning that ayuda funds placed there could escape oversight.

“The House left some P42 billion in the unprogrammed appropriations for ayuda, and we will remove it,” he stated in an interview on One News.

He added that the senators expect a lengthy discussion in the bicameral conference committee but agree that the funds must be lodged in the regular budget.

Lacson said that this position is supported by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, and most members of the majority bloc.

He also praised Gatchalian for exposing anomalies, questionable items, and red flags during budget hearings, noting that he closely monitored the sessions while recovering from surgery.

DPWH diverts P50 billion in unprogrammed funds in 2024

Lacson disclosed in an interview on DZBB radio that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) diverted at least P50 billion from unprogrammed appropriations in the 2024 budget, including P30 billion for flood control projects.

He said such diversions showed how DPWH officials have become ‘‘comfortable’’ violating the government’s infrastructure master plan.

According to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, P15.7 billion remains in the 2026 budget for flood control projects funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank, assuring that these funds cannot be stolen.

Lacson added that around P46 billion from the DPWH’s 2026 budget was realigned by the House to social amelioration programs such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

Additionally, he urged lawmakers to exercise restraint in making realignments, warning against a repeat of the outrage generated by the flood control project scandal.