Marcos: No flood control budget in 2026 NEP
Published Sep 8, 2025 06:57 pm
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PCO)
President Marcos said the proposed 2026 national budget contains no allocation for new flood control projects, stressing that the government must first ensure ongoing works are completed properly.
Speaking in his latest podcast episode, the President explained that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) have already determined that existing funds remain available.
“Number one, we already are seeing na lahat ng flood control project na dapat ilalagay sa 2026 na budget, hindi na siguro kailangan (that all the flood control projects planned for the 2026 budget may not be necessary). So, there will be no budget for 2026 for flood control,” he said in his podcast aired Monday evening, Sept. 8.
“Mayroon naman P350 billion for 2025 na hindi pa nauubos talaga (There is still P350 billion from 2025 that has not been spent),” he added.
The Chief Executive clarified that projects will continue, but with closer scrutiny of implementation.
“Hindi ibig sabihin titigil natin ‘yung flood control project. Ibig sabihin, titiyakin na ngayon natin na ang paggastos tama, ang pag-implement tama, maayos ang design (It doesn’t mean we will stop flood control projects. It means we will make sure spending is correct, implementation is proper, and the design is sound),” he said.
Contractors told to repair at their own cost
President Marcos also warned contractors responsible for defective works that they must first fix their projects before entering into discussions with the government.
“Interesado ako na makipag-usap tayo sa mga contractor na tapusin nila. Ayusin nila. At their cost ha (I am interested to talk with contractors but they must first finish and repair their projects, at their cost),” he said.
“Don’t expect the government to pay for it,” he added.
The President said the government cannot allow taxpayers to shoulder the expense of correcting mistakes in design and construction.
Going after ‘big fish’ in corruption
In the same podcast episode, Marcos vowed to pursue influential individuals behind decades of corruption in public works.
The President said the so-called “big fish” must be held accountable.
“Kapag sila na-out of action na ay talagang magbabago, dahil sila talaga nagpapatakbo (Once they are out of action, change will really happen because they are the ones running the system),” he said.
“Hindi mo mabubuwag ‘yung sistemang ‘yan hangga’t tinanggal mo ‘yung mga player na ‘yan. So, tatanggalin natin ‘yung mga player na ‘yon at kahit sino man sila para maging maayos ang patakbo ng sistema (You cannot dismantle that system unless you remove those players. So we will remove them, whoever they may be, so that the system will run properly),” he added.
The President earlier said his administration is preparing an executive order to establish an independent commission to investigate alleged irregularities in DPWH projects.
He also promised legal action against those involved, citing the scale of anomalies in ghost and substandard projects.
Marcos has repeatedly said the inquiry must not only name culprits but also uncover how corruption became entrenched to craft safeguards to prevent its recurrence.