By Brian Campued
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday stressed that there is no funding for new flood control projects in its proposed budget for 2026.
Based on the bicameral conference committee report, which Congress ratified on Dec. 29, 2025, the DPWH will get a P529.6 billion budget for 2026—lower than the proposed P880 billion under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The new budget includes P3.135 billion earmarked for the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities.
Of this number, the DPWH clarified that P2.49 billion is allocated for the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of existing flood control structures and drainage systems, as well as programs including the “Oplan Kontra Baha.”
“These funds will support essential declogging, desilting, dredging, repair, and clearing operations to ensure the functionality of waterways and drainage systems nationwide as well as other maintenance requirements of existing flood control-related projects,” the agency said in a statement.
The MOOE includes P100 million each for the 18 regions in the country for its current flood control-related projects in 2026.
At least P690 million will go to nationwide flood control-related programs and projects, such as the CAMANAVA / Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan flood control structures, Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, rehabilitation of Manila Bay, and the improvement and maintenance of esteros in Metro Manila.
Despite budget cuts, the DPWH assured that it remains “committed to maximizing these resources to mitigate flooding risks despite the fiscal constraints.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his team have started reviewing the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) transmitted by Congress on Dec. 29, ensuring that the proposed P6.793 trillion is aligned with national priorities.
Marcos is expected to sign the 2026 GAA into law in the first week of January, according to Malacañang.
-jpv
