REP. Arlene Brosas (PL, ACT) yesterday questioned the lump sum funds under the Marcos Jr. administration’s proposed P1.01 trillion budget for climate change expenditures in 2025, saying it could be used as hidden “pork.”
Of the amount, P779.38 billion is earmarked for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), primarily for flood control projects, while P23.65 billion is in the form of lump sum funds.
“The P23.65 billion earmarked as Special Purpose Funds reeks of ‘climate pork,’ with P5.41 billion allocated to local government units, and P18.23 billion to government corporations –both susceptible to corruption,” Brosas said in a statement.
The lawmaker explained that Special Purpose Funds are lump-sum budget allocations in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), with recipient agencies or programs not yet identified during budget preparation.
Brosas said while the budget request showcases a significant increase of P562.29 billion from the current year, the allocation is not a guarantee of genuine relief for poor communities constantly battered by calamities.
“Misleading ang pagtaas ng climate change expenditures ng gobyerno sa susunod na taon (The increase in the climate change expenditures next year is misleading),” Brosas said.
Brosas said that the poor, often at the forefront of calamities, “bear the brunt of ineffective flood control and environmentally destructive practices like quarrying and mining.”
“Hindi dapat gamitin ang climate change para makakulimbat pa ng pera ng taongmbayan (Climate change should not be used to steal money from the people),” she said.
“The people deserve transparency and accountability in climate expenditures. Funds must be channeled into legitimate climate adaptation programs rather than into the pockets of corrupt officials,” she added.
