Infra spending slips to P109 B in Aug

The Marcos administration recorded a lower infrastructure spending in August, declining for the first time in nine months, amid billing delays and adjustments in the project timelines.

- By LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON

The latest national government disbursement performance report of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that state infrastructure expenditure and other capital outlays declined by 11 percent to P108.6 billion in August from P122.1 billion in the same period last year.

This is the first time in nine months that infrastructure spending recorded a decline or since the 29.4 percent contraction in November 2023.

According to the DBM, the lower infrastructure spending was due to lesser disbursements recorded in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In particular, DPWH has P22 billion in outstanding checks as of end-August, higher than the P17 billion in the same period in 2023.

These outstanding checks represented payments for progress billings, completed infrastructure works and activities, which were not yet encashed by contractors.