Manila, Aug. 28 -- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano questioned the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) Engineering and Administrative Overhead (EAO) fund, saying it ballooned from an average of PHP20 billion a year to PHP94 billion in 2025 without ensuring project quality, resulting in wasted public funds.

Cayetano said the amount could already cover the PHP55 billion shortfall needed to reach the 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) target for education spending.

"Ni-research na sa DPWH pala, they have EAO na up to 3.5 percent for any project above PHP1 million, at napupunta ito sa either central office, regional director, o sa district engineer (Research showed that in the DPWH, they have 3.5 percent EAO for any project ab...