MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday unveiled the complete “menu” of priority programs and agencies that will receive the 2026 budget originally earmarked for flood control projects.
Speaking at a press conference, Marcos confirmed that the government has drawn up a detailed list to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the reallocated funds. Last week, the President announced that all flood control allocations under the 2026 National Expenditure Program would be scrapped and redirected to social services, health, education, and other urgent needs.
“Since we have canceled all flood control projects for 2026, for those savings, we already prepared a menu. It has to be very clear that the funds will go to the right places. We created a guide for legislators to follow so that any insertions or changes will benefit these agencies,” Marcos said.
Education and Agriculture Top Priorities
Under the education sector, the budget realignment will cover the construction of academic buildings, laboratories, and student dormitories in state universities and colleges, as well as school building programs, textbooks, laptops, and last-mile school projects under the Department of Education.
For agriculture, the Department of Agriculture will receive funding for farm-to-market roads, postharvest facilities, rice subsidies, cold storage expansion, and fish ports. The National Irrigation Administration will also gain support for irrigation dams.
Health and Housing Programs Boosted
The Department of Health is set to benefit from allocations for specialty hospitals, facility upgrades, medical assistance, and the provision of medicines. Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, alongside the National Housing Authority, will secure funds for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) housing program.
Other Key Allocations
Additional funding will also flow into:
- Office of Civil Defense: construction of evacuation centers
- Department of Information and Communications Technology: free Wi-Fi initiatives
- Department of Labor and Employment: Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program
- Department of Social Welfare and Development: Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS)
- Department of Energy/Energy Regulatory Commission: electrification projects
Marcos stressed that the “menu” approach is designed to safeguard public funds from misuse, ensuring that budget insertions serve the welfare of Filipinos rather than political interests.
I appreciate the clarity on how the reallocated funds will support education, health, and agriculture. Its reassuring to see a focused approach on essential services instead of flood control projects.