President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has vowed that abuses and irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects uncovered in previous years will not happen again under his leadership.
Speaking before residents of Gonzaga, Cagayan on Saturday, September 27, the President stressed that every peso entrusted to the government must reach Filipino families. “Titiyakin po natin na hindi na po mauulit yung ating nakita,” he said, emphasizing that public funds are not owned by officials but by the people themselves.
“Titiyakin po natin na bawat sentimo na pera ninyo – hindi namin pera ito, pera ninyo na ibinahagi ninyo sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan,” Marcos added. He reiterated that those in government are merely “custodians” of taxpayer money.
The Chief Executive explained that investigations revealed ghost and substandard flood control projects, prompting him to scrap all allocations for such works under the Department of Public Works and Highways for 2026. “Kung hindi po natin ginawa ‘yan, ‘yang P255 billion na ‘yan kung saan-saan na lang mapupunta,” Marcos said. He added that canceling these projects freed up funds that could be redirected to programs with direct benefits to citizens.
According to Malacañang, the P255 billion savings will be realigned across various agencies. Among the largest allocations are P60 billion to PhilHealth for expanded health coverage, P39.37 billion to the Department of Agriculture for farming and fisheries support, P35.91 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for social aid, P29.28 billion to the Department of Health for medical assistance and hospitals, and P26.55 billion to the Department of Education for classrooms, feeding programs, and special needs learning.
Other beneficiaries include the Department of Labor and Employment (P18 billion), Commission on Higher Education (P9.3 billion), National Irrigation Administration (P5 billion), Department of Transportation (P3 billion), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (P2.5 billion). Smaller amounts were also allotted to TESDA, Philippine Science High School, Department of Finance, Department of Energy, and DENR for specific initiatives.
Marcos assured the public that these redirected funds will focus on health, education, jobs, agriculture, and essential services—areas he said are crucial for rebuilding communities and uplifting lives.
