Government spending on infrastructure and other capital outlays breached its first-semester target due to roadworks, the Budget department said.
Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno presented the government’s disbursement performance in the first half of the year in a media briefing on Tuesday, August 1, with infrastructure and other capital outlays reaching P352.7 billion, 41.6% higher than the P249.1 billion recorded in the same period in 2017.
It was 4.3% above the P338.3-billion target set for that period.
“This is attributed to infrastructure projects of various agencies, especially the road infrastructure projects of the of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” Mr. Diokno said.
In June alone, infrastructure and other capital outlays surged 23.8% to P71.9 billion from P51.9 billion in June 2017.
It also grew 23.8% from May’s P58.1 billion.
“Specific to June 2018, these projects include the construction, widening, upgrading and preventive maintenance of road networks under the DPWH, the repair and rehabilitation of classrooms and school facilities under the Department of Education and State Universities and Colleges, acquisition of hospital and medical equipment of the Department of Health, and rail transport projects and purchase of airport security equipment of the Department of Transportation,” said the Budget chief. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

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