President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that the government will not allocate funds for flood control projects in 2026, stressing that a significant portion of the 2025 budget remains unused.
In his BBM Podcast, Marcos explained that the P350 billion set aside for 2025 is enough to cover ongoing projects. “It doesn’t mean we will stop. What it means is we have to make sure the money is used properly, the implementation is right, and the designs are in order,” he said.
Originally, nearly P275 billion was proposed for 2026 under the National Expenditure Program (NEP). Marcos, however, ordered a full review of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget after reports of irregularities in its flood control spending.
Holding Contractors Accountable
Marcos also put contractors on notice, stressing they must repair defective flood control projects at their own expense.
“I’m willing to talk to them, but they need to finish and repair their projects first, up to specification, and at their cost. Don’t expect the government to pay for it,” Marcos said.
The President previously revealed that just 15 firms have cornered about 20% of DPWH contracts nationwide, raising concerns over fairness and accountability in public works.
Push for Transparency and Reform
Malacañang will soon release the list of members of an independent body tasked with investigating anomalous flood control projects, long plagued by corruption allegations.
Marcos vowed the investigation would not only target small contractors but also the “big fish” behind the irregularities. “We will remove those who are behind these anomalies, no matter who they are, so that the system can work better,” he said.
