MANILA — The Senate is considering prioritizing the repair and rehabilitation of bridges and other vital infrastructure damaged by recent Southwest Monsoon rains in the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.

Senate Committee on Finance chairperson JV Ejercito said Tuesday that he would ask the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit estimates of infrastructure damage caused by the recent monsoon rains.

Ejercito said the figures would help lawmakers determine how much funding should be allocated for repairs and rehabilitation.

“We would like to ask for agency estimates of the infrastructure damage that has been done by itong mga habagat, itong mga monsoon rains the past months para po malagyan na po natin ng pondo,” he said.

He cited reports of major bridges damaged in Tarlac and the broader impact of severe weather in Central Luzon.

According to Ejercito, infrastructure that is critical to economic activity should be given priority if additional spending becomes necessary.

“If we need to spend, let us prioritize the infrastructure that are vital in the economic activity of every province or LGU,” he said.

The Senate, however, faces the challenge of finding additional funding within limited fiscal space.

Ejercito said allocations for some programs may need to be reduced or redirected to finance urgent infrastructure repairs.

“We need to cut from other areas, so we will scrutinize where we can source the funds and where we can redirect them, especially for important, vital infrastructure,” he said.

Ejercito earlier said the 2027 budget process would be difficult because the government must balance spending priorities with debt and other financial obligations.

He stressed that Congress must ensure that “every peso counts” as lawmakers decide which programs and projects should receive funding.

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