MANILA (October 10) — Around P15 billion worth of military infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were found incomplete or unusable, prompting the Senate to halt the agency’s Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) program and transfer its P3-billion 2026 budget directly to the Department of National Defense (DND).
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. told senators during the budget hearing on Tuesday that out of 944 approved TIKAS projects, 648 were falsely declared completed despite being stuck in the first phase of construction.
“We proposed that it be scrapped already and all implementation be by the DND–AFP,” Teodoro said, adding that most of the projects consist only of “drainage systems and firing ranges” not aligned with the military’s operational requirements.
The Senate finance committee, chaired by Sherwin Gatchalian, agreed to the proposal, with senators expressing frustration over the wasted funds. Gatchalian cited unfinished Philippine Air Force facilities in Pasay City worth over P200 million that were falsely tagged as completed.
Teodoro said he will coordinate with Vince Dizon to inspect the sites and gather evidence for possible charges against erring officials.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa backed the move, quipping that “tikas” is a Visayan term for “cheater.” Military officials, including Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, applauded the decision.
Sen. Bong Go also expressed support for the DND and cited his authorship of Republic Act No. 12177, which provides free legal assistance to soldiers and law enforcers facing cases in the line of duty.
