The PHP225 billion in funds originally allotted for locally funded flood control projects in the proposed 2026 budget will instead be redirected to education, health, and other pressing needs, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.

“‘Yung locally funded kung tawagin na project (The locally funded project) that amounts to about 225 billion, we will reappropriate it to education, to health, and other departments that are in need of this funding,” Marcos told reporters in Cambodia.

The President explained that the 2025 flood control budget of PHP350 billion has been delayed by ongoing investigations, making the 2026 allocation unnecessary. Foreign-assisted flood projects worth around PHP50 billion will continue.

Marcos said the realignment aims to maximize the use of savings and address urgent social needs.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earlier reported that it has released almost all of the appropriated budget for this year, with only PHP285.3 billion remaining to be disbursed to government agencies.

The Chief Executive earlier directed the DBM and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to revise DPWH’s proposed 2026 budget and ensure that no insertions or anomalous items were inserted. (PNA)