Marcos: No more flood control projects in proposed 2026 budget

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday that there would be no budget for flood control projects in 2026. 

In an episode of the BBM Podcast, Marcos said that there were still funds for flood control projects in 2025, which have not yet been utilized. 

''Marami na  tayong nagawa as of now palang. Number one, we already are seeing na lahat ng flood control project na dapat ilalagay sa 2026 na budget, hindi na siguro kailangan," Marcos said.

"So, there will be no budget for 2026 for flood control. Dahil mayroon naman P350 billion for 2025 na hindi pa nauubos talaga. So, tuloy-tuloy pa ‘yung trabaho,'' he added.

(We've already done a lot. Number one, we already are seeing that all flood control projects should no longer be included in the 2026 budget. So, there will be no budget for 2026 for flood control. Because there's still that P350 billion for 2025 that was not yet fully utilized. The work continues.)

''Hindi naman – hindi ibig sabihin titigil natin ‘yung flood control project – mga flood control project. Ibig sabihin, titiyakin na ngayon natin na ang paggastos tama, ang pag-implement tama, maayos ang design, etcetera, etcetera,'' Marcos said.

(It doesn't mean that the flood control projects would stop. It means that we will ensure that the utilization of funds is correct, the implementation, and the designs.)

Almost P275 billion 

Initially, it was proposed that the budget allocation for flood control projects under the 2026 National Expenditure Program was P274.926 billion. 

Last week, Marcos ordered a sweeping review of the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the NEP, with the agency tasked to implement the flood control projects.

The government is also set to release, in the coming days, the membership details of the independent body that will oversee the investigation into anomalous flood control projects, which have been riddled with corruption allegations. 

'Tapusin nila'

Marcos said he was open to talking to contractors to fix the faulty flood control projects. However, Marcos said these contractors should shoulder the costs. 

''Ang sinasabi ko nga, interesado ako na makipag-usap tayo sa mga contractor na tapusin nila. Ayusin nila,'' Marcos said. 

(As I was saying, I'm interested in talking to them. They should fix it.) 

''O ‘di, mag-usap kami after that. Pero before that, ayusin nila. Ayusin nila. Buoin nila up to specification. At their cost ha? Huwag naman sila mag – don't expect the government to pay for it. Ayusin nila ‘yung project nila,'' he added. 

(They should fix it. They should complete it, including the specification. At their cost. Don't expect the government to pay for it.)

15 contractors

To recall, Marcos found that only 15 firms have cornered 20% of contracts across the country.

When asked how far the investigation will take, Marcos said: ''Until we solve the problem.''

He said his administration would really go after the ''big fish'' who are behind these anomalous projects. 

''So, tatanggalin natin ‘yung mga player na ‘yon at kahit sino man sila para maging maayos ang patakbo ng sistema,'' Marcos said.

(We will remove those players so that the system will be better.)  –NB, GMA Integrated news