MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) clarified that the proposed 2026 national budget does not provide funding for the construction of new flood-control projects, stressing that the allocation set aside is intended solely for the upkeep of existing flood-mitigation programs.
In a statement, the DPWH said the more than P2.49 billion earmarked for flood control next year falls under Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and is meant to support ongoing initiatives, not new infrastructure.
The agency explained that the funds are allocated for “existing flood-control related projects and programs including the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha program.”
“These funds will support essential declogging, desilting, dredging, repair, and clearing operations to ensure the functionality of waterways and drainage systems nationwide as well as other maintenance requirements of existing flood control-related projects,” the DPWH said.
The department added that it sought to optimize available resources for flood mitigation efforts despite what it described as fiscal limitations in the proposed spending plan.
The clarification comes as lawmakers last week signed the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the proposed P6.7 trillion 2026 national budget, clearing the way for its ratification.
Senate Finance Committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian earlier assured the public that the proposed budget contains no pork barrel allocations and expressed confidence that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not veto any provisions.
Malacañang, for its part, said it is “conducting a thorough review” of the ratified 2026 General Appropriations Bill, which is expected to be signed into law by the President in the coming days./PN
