As floodwaters continue to submerge parts of Central Luzon weeks after a string of typhoons, the government faces mounting criticism over delays in long-promised infrastructure upgrades. Yet, in a move that has drawn mixed reactions, proposed funding for the country’s flood control program in 2026 has been scaled back by nearly P72 billion—from P346.6 billion this year to P274.9 billion.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman clarified that the figure remains under review, saying it does not reflect a final decision but rather a shift in approach. “It’s not really a budget cut in the strictest sense. The goal is to fund projects that are truly needed, not just those that are already on paper,” Pangandaman explained during her visit to flood-stricken Pampanga.
In her inspection of the still-impassable Apalit-Macabebe road—submerged for almost two weeks—Pangandaman ordered a realignment of unused or outdated allocations from completed projects. “We discovered that some areas which no longer require funding continue to receive it. That’s money better spent elsewhere, like here in Pampanga, where the need is obvious,” she said.
Local officials, including Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco, expressed disappointment over the prolonged delays. The road had been flagged as a flood-prone area as early as 2023, but repairs remain unfinished two years on.
Despite the reallocation, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is facing a trimmed budget overall in next year’s National Expenditure Program (NEP). Pangandaman attributed this to the department’s massive P1.09 trillion allocation this year—one of the highest in recent history—and said many projects are still in the pipeline. “We need to focus on completion before committing more,” she noted.
President Marcos, who approved a record-high P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, addressed concerns over the proposed adjustments during a recent podcast interview. He emphasized the need for budget discipline while defending Congress’s role in reshaping allocations.
“It is Congress’s job to introduce amendments, and it is our job to ensure public funds are spent wisely,” he said. “We can’t let money be misused or diverted from our national priorities.”
The President also raised alarm over what he called “dangerous omissions” in the budget—specifically the slashing of funds for foreign-assisted projects. “When you remove funding from these initiatives, it doesn’t just delay development—it damages our credibility internationally,” Marcos warned.
As debate over the budget intensifies, newly appointed Senate Finance Committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian is ushering in what he calls a “golden age of transparency.” In a push for full public accountability, Gatchalian announced that the entire budgeting process—from agency proposals to the final approved version—will soon be made publicly accessible.
“We want citizens to track every peso, every amendment, every shift in the budget. It’s time we moved past partial disclosure,” Gatchalian said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum. Under his proposal, government agencies will be required to upload all budget documents, not just the proposed and final versions.
Currently, the public only has access to the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act. The reform seeks to shine a light on the often opaque decision-making process that takes place between the initial submission and final approval.
“We owe it to the people to let them see how their money is being handled—from start to finish,” Gatchalian added.
As climate change continues to expose the fragility of the country’s infrastructure, the government now faces a dual challenge: ensuring immediate relief and pushing for long-overdue reforms in planning, spending, and transparency. Whether the shift in flood control funding signals genuine reprioritization or another bureaucratic delay remains to be seen.