On-the-ground monitoring of government projects soughtMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo is pushing for on-the-ground monitoring of government projects to prevent the misuse of public funds, backing the creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to track the implementation of programs funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. “We probably really need a person on the ground to conduct random checks,” said Tulfo, vice chairperson of the Senate committee on finance. President Marcos signed the 2026 national budget into law earlier this week, vetoing P92.5 billion worth of projects under unprogrammed appropriations. Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the committee on finance, to include all committee vice chairpersons in the oversight body. Big projects, small projects, farm-to-market roads, irrigation projects.

Source: Philippine Star January 11, 2026 16:06 UTC