MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday echoed the appeal of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for cuts made to its 2026 budget to be restored. In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro justified the call by saying funding is needed to efficiently implement the projects of the agency. “Yes, the DPWH had requested a budget and this was slashed by the Senate. Nearly 10,000 projects will not be fulfilled or implemented if they reduce the budget requested by the DPWH,” Castro said in Filipino. She added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was “aware” of the call made by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon after the Senate slashed the proposed 2026 budget to 570.48 billion from the P624.48 billion as passed by the House of Representatives. Dizon clarified that they were not seeking the restoration of funding for infrastructure projects that were removed from next year’s appropriation, as the cost of project materials will decrease.