Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger G. Mercado announced that the agency’s upcoming budget for fiscal year 2023 will concentrate on the Department’s national mandate that is growth-friendly to keep economic activity upbeat.
“Our aim is to formulate a 2023 budget that is anchored on DPWH basic mandate: to plan, design, and construct national roads, bridges and flood control projects and the maintenance and preservation of these infrastructure assets”, declared Secretary Mercado during the Unified Directors’ Meeting attended by the Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Regional, Service, Bureau and Project Directors held Saturday, January 22, 2022 in Clarkfield, Pampanga.
Secretary Mercardo instructed the Regional and Unified Project Management Office Operations to submit their proposed 2023 infrastructure program before January 31 to consolidate and review in time for the May 31, 2022 submission of proposed budget for the next fiscal year in accordance with national budget call per Memorandum Order No. 142 dated January 12, 2022.
The proposed 2023 budget will continue to provide funding support for flagship infrastructure projects under the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Build Build Build Program.
In consultation with stakeholders including local officials and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Regional and District Engineering Offices will adopt the bottom up approach in the planning process.
Secretary Mercardo also reminded the Regional and District Heads to take into consideration the increased resources of local government units as a result of the Mandanas Ruling by the Supreme Court.
Let us avoid duplicating the devolved functions and services of the LGUs and instead shift our focus on our mandate on national programs consistent with the strategies defined in the Department of Budget and Management approved devolution transition plan, added Secretary Mercado.
Secretary Mercado said that with the right plan, it becomes easier to draw up a budget that is lean but responsive, transparent, and in sync with what our government and people need in the context of local and national development.
The DPWH Secretary also conveyed his appreciation to DPWH Regional Office 3 led by Regional Director Roseller A. Tolentino who despite the very short notice, graciously accepted the hosting of first DPWH Unified Directors’ Meet for CY 2022.
He also commended the work ethics of DPWH men and women from various units who like one (1) big family, stucked together to help the victims of Typhoon “Odette”.
As the super typhoon in December 2021 left wide destruction, DPWH was there when it counted most deploying manpower and heavy equipment to immediately clear and repair damaged roads and bridges and provide immediate relief assistance.