Marcos: Almost P36B funds for flood control to be reallocated to DSWD

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday announced that almost P36 billion in flood control projects under the proposed 2026 national budget will be reallocated to the social programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Marcos made the remark during the Kumustahan ng Pamilyang Matatag: Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid at Unang Pamilya.

''Nais pa nating dagdagan ang mga pamilyang may sapat na kakayahan na itaguyod ang kanilang buhay kaya't patuloy nating pinapalakas ang 4Ps,'' Marcos said.

(We want to add more families who can support their livelihood so we are strengthening the 4Ps.)

''Mga kababayan, ikinalulugod kong ibahagi sa inyo na halos P36 bilyon na pondo galing sa DPWH na nakuha natin sa flood control project, itong halagang ito ay ilalaan natin sa mga programa ng DSWD,'' he added. 

(I am happy to announce that almost P36 billion worth of funds from the flood control projects of the DPWH, this amount will be allocated for DSWD'S programs.)  

AICS, SLP

Marcos said the DSWD programs which will be allocated with this amount include the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), among others. 

''Dahil sa karagdagang pondo ng AICS program, dadami ang ating mga kababayan na matutulungan sa panahon ng emergency tulad ng madaliang operasyon, pambili ng maintenance o gamot, at iba pang mga gastos sa pagpapagaling,'' he said. 

(Because of the additional funds for the AICS program, more Filipinos will get help during times of emergency like medical operations, medicine expenses and other medical fees.) 

AICS provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance or other support services or needs of a person or family experiencing crises.

A subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations earlier said that over P250 billion of the Department of Public Works and Highways' proposed allocation for flood control projects was being realigned to other items in the proposed P6.7-trillion national budget for 2026.

This came after the President announced that there would be no new allocations for flood control projects next year.

He said that there were still funds for flood control projects in 2025, which have not yet been utilized. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News