Batangas Rep. Leviste proposes DPWH budget cut for college scholarships

Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste proposed reallocating funds from the DPWH budget to finance college scholarships for 2026.

He suggested this during a House committee hearing on CHED's proposed 2026 budget.

Leviste proposed reducing the DPWH budget by approximately 5% to extend the Tulong Dunong Program to all qualified students.

He specified that in his district alone, PHP 300 million would be needed, which could be sourced by reducing the unit cost of DPWH road projects by 15%.

This reduction in cost per kilometer would allow every qualified college student in his district to receive a slot in the Tulong Dunong Program.

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis expressed openness to the idea.

Earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated that there would be no budget for flood control projects in the DPWH's 2026 budget.