Although higher than the programmed expenditure of P609.3 billion for 2020 by 11.8 percent, the country’s actual public infrastructure spending amounting to P681.1 billion in 2020 is 22.8 percent lower compared to P881.7 billion in 2019. Similarly, the 2020 public infrastructure expenditure at 4.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) is also lower compared to 2019’s 5.4 percent of GDP (Figure 1). According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the lower infrastructure spending in 2020 is largely due to the discontinuance of some capital outlay projects to fund the COVID-19 expenditures of the government under the Bayanihan We Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and the unintended delays in the execution of some other programs because of the pandemic.
