Malacañang on Thursday underscored the need to sustain government’s infrastructure spending to support economic growth.

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) position that government spending is necessary to support the economy.

“Kailangan talaga natin ng government spending, kasi nakaka-apekto sa ekonomiya natin kung ang liit ng paggasta ng gobyerno (We really need government spending because low government expenditure affects our economy),” Castro said.

“So, kinakailangan po talagang pagtuunan lalung-lalo na iyong infrastructure (We really need to focus particularly on infrastructure).”

Castro’s statement came after DBM Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew Balanquit, in an interview on Monday, said the Super El Niño phenomenon could slow down the government’s infrastructure spending in the first quarter of 2027.

Castro, however, clarified that Balanquit’s statement was not an official statement of the DBM, adding that the DBM will issue an official statement on the matter.

“Wala silang ibinigay na anumang kategorya at masasabi natin na itong pananaw na ito ay hindi officially galing kay [Budget] Secretary Kim De Leon (They did not provide any specific details, and we can say that this view does not officially come from Budget Secretary Kim De Leon),” Castro said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier warned that the El Niño could reach a “very strong” intensity between September and December 2026, and persist until the first half of 2027.

Around 85 provinces nationwide could experience below-normal rainfall, dry spells and widespread drought conditions, particularly affecting Luzon and the Visayas. (PNA)