Cebu to Receive ₱26.5 Billion Worth of Infrastructure Projects

Cebu Province is set to benefit from nearly ₱26.53 billion worth of infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) as part of the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The scale of investment was revealed during the September 8 session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), where DPWH officials and district engineers presented a detailed breakdown of the proposed 796 projects. The discussion, which lasted close to four hours, focused heavily on roadworks and flood-control initiatives across Cebu’s legislative districts, including Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The largest portion of the budget falls under the Convergence and Special Support Program, amounting to ₱11.28 billion for 554 projects. These cover a wide range of infrastructure initiatives intended to complement national development priorities.

Under the Locally Funded Projects category, 16 projects worth ₱432 million were identified. However, some districts—including the 1st and 6th Districts, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the 7th District—received no allocations in this category.

A substantial share is earmarked for National Road Projects (001), which accounts for 172 items with a combined allocation of ₱9.85 billion. Among these, the 3rd District emerged as the biggest recipient with 33 projects worth ₱1.6 billion. At the other end of the spectrum, the 6th District received only two projects valued at ₱120 million, the smallest appropriation under this program.

For Flood Control and Calamity-Related Projects (002), DPWH listed 54 proposals totaling ₱4.95 billion. Here, the 7th District topped the allocations with 16 projects worth ₱1.96 billion. In contrast, Districts 2 and 6 and Mandaue City were left without any appropriations for flood-control work, raising concerns from local leaders who have long called for stronger disaster-prevention measures.

SP Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III highlighted the importance of aligning the province’s own annual budget planning with the DPWH pipeline. He warned that without coordination, there could be overlapping appropriations between local and national government projects.

“Later this month we will also be discussing our annual budget. To save time and avoid duplication, we want to get a clear picture of DPWH’s 2026 projects,” Martinez said.

Meanwhile, SP Member Stanley Caminero asked DPWH-7 to provide a revised and finalized copy of its NEP proposal to the SP’s Committee on Infrastructure for deeper review.

Engineer Francis Antonio Flores, speaking on behalf of DPWH-7, explained that the list of 796 projects was prepared through district-level consultations with engineers and local stakeholders. He noted, however, that the proposals remain provisional.

“These projects are still subject to sweeping and correction as ordered by our new Secretary Vince Dizon,” Flores clarified. He added that DPWH must finalize and submit its official list to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) within the week, ahead of the bicameral conference committee deliberations.

Flores assured provincial lawmakers that once the list is finalized, complete copies—including any corrections and errata—will be provided to the Cebu SP for transparency and review.

With nearly ₱26.53 billion in infrastructure proposals, Cebu stands to gain significant improvements in roads, flood control, and other public works by 2026. Local leaders, however, continue to push for accountability and equitable distribution to ensure that all districts—and the communities within them—see tangible benefits from the massive allocation.