Second District Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano has expressed disappointment over the substantial reduction in the proposed 2026 budget for the province’s second district, warning that the cuts could delay or halt major infrastructure projects vital to economic growth and public services.

Speaking during his 4th Congressional Report at the Tagoloan Dome on Friday, January 23, Emano said the ₱6.5-billion allocation he initially proposed under the General Appropriations Bill was slashed to ₱2.5 billion during bicameral conference committee deliberations. The reduced amount now stands as the final allocation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Emano said the reduction would directly affect large-scale road and bridge projects aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving connectivity, and stimulating trade in Misamis Oriental’s second district.

Despite the setback, he said he remains hopeful that the issue can still be addressed once Congress resumes session next week.

“We will continue to fight for it,” Emano said, noting that legislative sessions are expected to resume on Monday, January 26.

Major projects cut or removed

Several priority infrastructure projects were either significantly reduced or completely deleted during the bicameral process, including:

  • Tagoloan Bridge – reduced from ₱600 million to ₱192 million
  • CDO–Laguindingan Mountain Diversion Road – reduced from ₱1.73 billion to zero allocation
  • Puerto–Claveria Diversion Road – reduced from ₱875 million to zero allocation
  • Misamis Oriental West Diversion Road – reduced from ₱1.61 billion to zero allocation

Emano said the removal of these projects could delay long-term solutions to traffic congestion and logistics bottlenecks affecting commuters, businesses, and farmers in the district.

Lawmaker defends budget insertions

Responding to social media claims that he allegedly received one of the highest budget “insertions” among lawmakers, Emano defended the practice, saying insertions are legitimate amendments used to fund necessary projects.

“Dautan ba ang insertion o dili?” Emano asked during his speech, explaining that insertions only become problematic when projects are poorly implemented or fraudulent.

“Ang insertion dautan lang kung dili i-implement pag-ayo, ug kung ghost. Kalooy sa Diyos, walay bisan usa ka ghost nga proyekto dinhi sa ikaduhang distrito,” he said, assuring the public that all projects under his watch were implemented transparently.

Emano also expressed frustration over persistent online criticism, saying it is painful to be constantly attacked despite efforts to bring development to the district.

Ongoing and completed projects highlighted

Despite the reduced 2026 budget, Emano highlighted several completed and ongoing infrastructure projects, including the North Eastern Mindanao General Hospital in Villanueva, which received a ₱350-million allocation.

Other accomplishments include five rural health units, two pedestrian overpasses, six Super Health Centers, five multi-level school buildings, 10 farm-to-market roads, 26 water systems, installation of street lights along national roads, improvements in government hospitals, 99 multi-purpose buildings, 131 road concreting projects, and 57 flood control structures.

Awaiting clarity

Emano said he hopes to gain a clearer explanation on the budget reductions once congressional sessions resume, stressing the need to properly inform his constituents.

“At least somehow I will be able to explain to my people what really happened to the budget,” he said.