The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has proposed a ₱72-billion cut in flood control funding for 2026, lowering it to ₱274.9 billion despite ongoing public clamor over unfinished and flood-prone infrastructure.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the government is still finalizing the figures and may realign funds from completed, non-priority projects—such as those in flood-free areas—to support urgent repairs like the still-submerged Apalit-Macabebe road.
President Marcos defended the Executive’s role in ensuring budget discipline while pushing Congress to fund only projects aligned with national plans and to restore funding for critical foreign-assisted efforts.
Meanwhile, Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian vowed a “golden age of transparency,” requiring government agencies to publish all stages of the budget process online.
The 2026 national budget stands at ₱6.793 trillion, or 22% of the country’s GDP, marking a 7.4% increase from 2025.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 5, 2025
