Speaker Dy opens House project data to public, orders review of 2026 spending

“The 20th Congress is a Congress of reform. Ito ang Bagong Kongresong patuloy nating pinagsisikapang makamit.”

This was stressed on Monday by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III as he announced that the House of Representatives would launch an online platform giving the public access to project data and directed House oversight committees to convene immediately to review how funds allocated for 2026 were spent.

“We want our people to have access to accurate information and this transparency platform delivers a loud and clear message: Wala pong tinatago ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan,” said the Speaker in his speech at the resumption of plenary sessions.

“The process of passing the budget, through coordination and consultation, livestreamed committee hearings, open dialogue, and the development of a transparency platform will prove beyond any doubt that the 20th Congress represents genuine reform.”

The House chief said the platform would publish information on the projects of each lawmaker, including the project name, location, funding allocation, and completion status. He said work on the platform began in September and that it would be available to the public in the coming days.

“Karapatan ng bawa’t isa na malaman kung saan napupunta at mapupunta ang bawat sentimong inyong pinaghihirapan at bawat buwis inyong binabayaran,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker instructed oversight committees to check whether departments and agencies used their 2026 allocations for their intended purposes and within the prescribed timelines.

“Muli nating suriin kung ang mga pondong ating inilaan at inaprubahan sa 2026 ay ginamit nang tama, at kung ang mga ito ay nagamit sa takdang panahon,” he said.

The former Isabela governor also said the House had continued the budget reforms it began last year, including convening the Budget Amendments and Review Subcommittee (BARSc). He said deliberations of the bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2027 national budget would again be livestreamed so the public could see the amendments made by its representatives.

“Malinaw po ang ating paninindigan. Bukas ang House-approved General Appropriations Bill sa pagsusuri ng publiko. Nariyan po ang datos na maaari nilang tingnan at pag-aralang mabuti,” Dy said.

The announcements followed Dy’s statement on Thursday backing proposals to disclose supporting documents for government projects, make congressional budget amendments easier to scrutinize, and involve civil society in public oversight. He also supported closer scrutiny of the budgets of government offices, including Congress.

The Speaker pointed out that the House reviewed which programs needed additional support and which allocations might go partly unspent within the prescribed period. He said the House amendments increased funding for scholarships, school safety, medical assistance, and agricultural preparations for El Niño.

As the 2027 budget process enters its final stretch, Dy said the House would continue working with the Senate and the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to pass a budget that addresses public needs and can be implemented effectively.

“We are prepared to listen, explain our decisions, consider reasonable proposals, and make the necessary adjustments.”