MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the diversion of nearly ₱36 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control allocation to bankroll social welfare programs, underscoring his administration’s shift in priority from infrastructure spending to direct family assistance.
The President made the declaration during the Kumustahan ng Pamilyang Matatag: Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid at Unang Pamilya gathering on Friday, stressing the need to strengthen support for Filipino households through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“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, referring to the government’s flagship conditional cash transfer program.
Marcos confirmed that the ₱36 billion came from unutilized DPWH funds.
“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 said.
The President explained that the reallocated funds will augment the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
“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,” Marcos added.
The AICS program provides aid for medical expenses, burial assistance, educational support, transportation, food, and other crisis-related needs.
Earlier, a House appropriations subcommittee noted that more than ₱250 billion of DPWH’s proposed 2026 flood control budget is being reprogrammed for other uses. This comes after Marcos declared that there will be no fresh allocations for flood control projects in next year’s ₱6.7-trillion national budget, citing unspent funds from 2025 that remain available./PN
