Recto urges faster government spending ahead of El Niño

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has urged government agencies to accelerate spending in the remaining months of 2026, particularly on programs to prepare for El Niño, his office said Saturday.

Recto met with officials of various government agencies on Thursday while President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was in Singapore for a working visit. Among those present were Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon.

“We have one more quarter to improve spending for the year. Let’s get our acts together in the fourth quarter," Recto was quoted as having said during the meeting.

"Spend and start doing early procurement, especially on programs that would strengthen our response against El Niño. This way, we can fully catch up in the first quarter of next year,” he added.

According to the Office of the Executive Secretary, government disbursements grew by 7.5% in the first three quarters of 2026. Recto urged agencies to supposedly sustain the momentum by accelerating the implementation of projects.

Priority areas include education, health, infrastructure, transportation, procurement, cash assistance and employment support.

Also present at the meeting were Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino.

El Niño is expected to have far-reaching effects across various industries, particularly agriculture, prompting the government to step up preparations for the phenomenon, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.

In a separate meeting with government agencies, Recto stressed the need to ensure that preparations were completed ahead of time.

“Preparedness is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to act early. Our job is to make sure that when the effects of El Niño come, the government is ready and Filipinos are protected,” Recto said.

“El Niño will not affect every area in the same way. The risks and needs of one community may be different from those of another. We need to know where the risks are greatest and make sure our response matches the situation in each area,” he added.— MCG, GMA News

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