MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday called on former public works secretary Rogelio Singson to show proof that the convergence and special support program (CSSP) can be used for scams, as it denied that the allocation is an undisclosed item in the budget.
Singson, who served as public works chief under the late president Benigno Aquino III, previously said the government had allocated billions to the CSSP, which may have concealed irregularities in projects.
Several projects funded by the item did not satisfy requirements such as cost estimates, specifications and technical studies, the former Cabinet official added.
“If we say something negative, it would be better if it is accompanied by a basis to avoid misleading our countrymen. If that is a mere opinion, if he has no basis to say that the convergence special support program is used for scams, it would not be good for the projects of the government,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a media briefing in reaction to Singson’s claims.
She said the 2026 national budget publicly identified the CSSP as one of the regular programs of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), alongside the asset, preservation program, network development program and bridge program.
“It is therefore, inaccurate to portray CSSP as a newly discovered or previously undisclosed public works budget,” the Palace press officer added.
Singson raised his allegation days after another former public works chief, Manuel Bonoan, claimed that the 2025 budget contained “leadership funds” intended for senators’ pet projects.
Castro previously said Marcos was not aware of the so-called “leadership funds” and would not have tolerated them.
She also clarified that the proposed DPWH budget for next year does not contain such allocation.
Transport neglected
With some transport projects stricken off or deprived of allocation in the proposed budget for 2027, public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers said they are wondering whether the country may have already weathered the oil price crisis.
At a forum, National Confederation of Transport Workers Union secretary general Jaime Aguilar questioned the budget cuts and zero allocation in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2027 for crucial transport programs.
The NEP proposes a double-digit slash in the allocation for the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Active Transport Program.
Likewise, the NEP zeroes out the Service Contracting Program (SCP), from P1 billion this year, and the EDSA busway funding, from P88.7 million. For the second straight year, the DOTr would be given no budget for fuel subsidies.
Aguilar said the NEP disregards the possibility of new oil price hikes next year. He cited the need for funding for the SCP and fuel subsidies for PUVs, given the volatility in petroleum costs.
The SCP refers to the program where PUV operators and drivers are paid on a performance basis by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to minimize losses from fuel price hikes.
Compared to this year’s budget, the NEP will reduce the allocation for the PTMP by 88 percent to P176.8 million, Cebu BRT by 60 percent to P175.5 million and Active Transport Program by 68 percent to P33.9 million.
Move As One Coalition national coordinator Gybel Agregado challenged the budget cuts, saying they work against the government’s promise of prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists. Commuters also stand to lose if projects like the EDSA busway are deprived of funding. — Elijah Felice Rosales