Cabral Files Go Public: Billions in DPWH Allocations Now Exposed

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste has released a new set of documents detailing Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget allocations from 2023 to 2026, broken down by region and congressional district.

According to Leviste, the documents were originally provided by the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral and were made public to clarify how infrastructure funds were distributed nationwide. The files outline allocations that, when translated to household impact, amount to roughly ₱15,000 per Filipino family, based on the ₱3.5 trillion total cited.

The data shows that funding varied significantly by region, with major allocations going to Central Luzon, CALABARZON, the National Capital Region, and parts of Mindanao. Metro Manila districts also ranked among the highest recipients, with several districts receiving allocations exceeding ₱20 billion over the period.

Leviste emphasized that the documents reflect allocations approved through DPWH processes, including endorsement by department leadership, and were released amid heightened public scrutiny over budget insertions and infrastructure spending.

The disclosure follows ongoing debates in Congress and the public sphere regarding transparency, accountability, and the role of lawmakers and agencies in shaping the national budget—particularly in flood control and public works projects.

With the data now accessible, attention shifts from speculation to verification: who benefited most, how funds were prioritized, and whether public outcomes matched the scale of spending.