P350B from cancelled flood control projects to fund 9 priority sectors

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that funds from cancelled 2026 flood control projects will be reallocated to nine priority government sectors, including education, health, agriculture, housing, infrastructure, ICT, labor, social services, and energy.

A spending 'menu' has been prepared to guide lawmakers in allocating these rechanneled funds within the upcoming national budget, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Lawmakers will be expected to adhere to this menu when proposing insertions or realignments, with changes only benefiting the specified agencies.

President Marcos also stated that no new funds will be allocated for flood control in 2026, as the P350 billion earmarked for 2025 needs to be fully utilized first.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for a P176.7-billion budget for 2026 to drive agricultural modernization, secure food supply, and uplift the lives of farmers and fisherfolk.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the department's historically tight financial constraints despite agriculture's vital role in the economy.

The DA's proposed spending priorities for 2026 include improving productivity, modernizing operations, strengthening value chains, expanding market access, and protecting livelihoods.