Biron says PHP 1.38-B allocation not an insertion

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo Fourth District Rep. Ferjenel Gonzales Biron clarified that the PHP 1.38 billion allocated to his district under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is part of the regular budget process, dismissing claims that it was a “congressional insertion.”

In a statement on Thursday, Dec. 4, Biron stressed that the funds were included through the standard national budgeting system, following agency proposals and established planning procedures.

“A significant portion of this allocation supports local infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, flood mitigation structures, school buildings, and other facilities intended to enhance public service and promote community development,” he said.

The lawmaker emphasized that all projects underwent proper evaluation and coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Despite not naming any specific reports, Biron may be responding to a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report showing that his district received PHP 1.38 billion in non-allocable projects, or DPWH’s core projects, big-ticket programs, and national highways.

Various high-level actors—including senators, party-list lawmakers, and executive branch officials—draw influence by inserting projects into the non-allocable portion of the National Expenditure Program.

District representatives, in this case Biron, cannot “touch” these non-allocable projects, even if they are lodged in their own districts.

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Based on the 2025 GAA, the total budget allocated to the Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office, including Regular Programs Total Appropriations, amounts to PHP 947,478,000.

The budget is intended for maintenance, infrastructure development, and flood mitigation across the district.

A substantial portion of the project funding falls under the Locally Funded Projects category—specifically the Basic Infrastructure Program—which focuses heavily on buildings and public protection.

Biron also maintained that DPWH found no substandard or ghost projects in his district.

“Since I became a Congressman, there have been no ghost projects in my district, and all projects under the GAA have been implemented fully and completely,” he said.

“There are no irregular entries, no insertions, and no concealed items in the approved allocation,” he added.