By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Monday allayed public concerns that the reallocation of the P255.5 billion budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2026 to other agencies will disrupt the implementation of flood control projects across the country.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the DPWH identified certain projects that could be removed, creating a “fiscal space” for the proposed budget.
“So, mas nanaisin po ng Pangulo na ito ay mailagay sa tamang mga programa at para po mas makatulong sa mga kababayan po natin,” Castro said, noting that contractors still need to finish all projects that have been funded and paid in full by the government.
“Kung ito man ay napondohan at nabayaran po in full at hindi nagawa ng mga contractors na ito, liability po nila ito at dapat po itong tapusin,” Castro added.
During a visit to Gonzaga, Cagayan, over the weekend, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. clarified that flood control projects will still push through next year, as there is still some P300 billion from 2025 not yet fully spent.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, hindi ibig sabihin matitigil ang flood control project… Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang magiging flood control project hanggang sa susunod na taon at mayroon naman tayo na ia-approve na flood control project… basta’t nakita natin ay maayos ang proposal, maayos ang program of work, maayos ang completion, may acceptance ng local government,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) emphasized that the realignment of flood control funds will not compromise the country’s overall infrastructure spending.
According to DBM Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, legitimate obligations under existing contracts will continue and remain unaffected.
“What’s important is that we still get to implement key projects like school buildings, hospitals, and infrastructure that supports our agriculture sector,” the Budget chief said in a statement Monday.
Pangandaman also emphasized the administration’s use of the Program Convergence Budgeting, an approach designed to reduce overlapping programs and maximize resources across agencies, ensuring funds are matched with outcomes and minimizing duplication.
She expressed support for Marcos’ move to prioritize other essential government programs, particularly in the education sector, as it “has always been our number one priority under the NEP (National Expenditure Program).”
“We stand with this realignment, and we will make sure it is implemented properly so that our students, teachers, and SUCs (state universities and colleges) receive the support they deserve,” she said, adding that the DBM will work with Congress to adjust funding levels for SUCs and ensure allocations align with actual enrollment projections.
The DBM chief vowed to maintain transparency and accountability in monitoring the use of reallocated funds to guarantee they reach priority sectors.
-jpv
