The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has confirmed that its proposed 2026 budget contains no funding for new locally-funded flood control projects, following a direct order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to streamline agency spending.
In a statement released Friday, the DPWH clarified that the ₱2.49 billion allocated for flood-related initiatives in the ₱6.793-trillion national budget is reserved exclusively for the maintenance and operation of existing systems. This includes the government’s “Oplan Kontra Baha” program.
The agency noted that the limited funds will be used for essential activities such as declogging, desilting, dredging, and the repair of current waterways and drainage systems to ensure they remain functional.
The decision to freeze new projects comes amid a massive ₱351-billion reduction in the DPWH’s original budget request.
The department’s total allocation was slashed from a proposed ₱880 billion to ₱529 billion during deliberations by the bicameral conference committee.
President Marcos previously indicated that the suspension of new flood control funding is part of a broader effort to purge the national budget of “anomalous and problematic line items.”
The move follows ongoing investigations into alleged “kickback schemes” and “ghost projects” involving previous flood control allocations.
“The Department is committed to maximizing these resources to mitigate flooding risks despite the fiscal constraints,” the DPWH said, adding that the shift in strategy aims to move away from “piecemeal” projects in favor of a more “science-based,” integrated master plan for water resource management.
The 2026 General Appropriations Bill is currently awaiting the President’s signature.
Under the ratified version, the remaining flood control maintenance funds are distributed across 18 regions, with Calabarzon (₱562 million) and the Bicol Region (₱532 million) receiving the largest shares. — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has confirmed that its proposed 2026 budget contains no funding for new locally-funded flood control projects, following a direct order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to streamline agency spending.
In a statement released Friday, the DPWH clarified that the ₱2.49 billion allocated for flood-related initiatives in the ₱6.793-trillion national budget is reserved exclusively for the maintenance and operation of existing systems. This includes the government’s “Oplan Kontra Baha” program.
The agency noted that the limited funds will be used for essential activities such as declogging, desilting, dredging, and the repair of current waterways and drainage systems to ensure they remain functional.
The decision to freeze new projects comes amid a massive ₱351-billion reduction in the DPWH’s original budget request.
The department’s total allocation was slashed from a proposed ₱880 billion to ₱529 billion during deliberations by the bicameral conference committee.
President Marcos previously indicated that the suspension of new flood control funding is part of a broader effort to purge the national budget of “anomalous and problematic line items.”
The move follows ongoing investigations into alleged “kickback schemes” and “ghost projects” involving previous flood control allocations.
“The Department is committed to maximizing these resources to mitigate flooding risks despite the fiscal constraints,” the DPWH said, adding that the shift in strategy aims to move away from “piecemeal” projects in favor of a more “science-based,” integrated master plan for water resource management.
The 2026 General Appropriations Bill is currently awaiting the President’s signature. Under the ratified version, the remaining flood control maintenance funds are distributed across 18 regions, with Calabarzon (₱562 million) and the Bicol Region (₱532 million) receiving the largest shares.