Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has removed P252 billion in locally-funded flood control projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed 2026 budget, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s directive to reallocate funds to more essential sectors.
In a letter to the House of Representatives dated September 15, Dizon submitted a revised budget proposal of P625.78 billion, marking a P255.52 billion or nearly 29 percent cut from the original P881.31 billion submission.
“The main highlight of this revision is the President’s directive to remove all locally funded flood control projects,” Dizon said, citing the need to address concerns such as duplicate and completed project funding in the original proposal.
Dizon expressed support for reallocating the freed fiscal space to priority sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, labor, social welfare, and IT. He emphasized the revised budget reflects the “most practical and achievable output” given time constraints.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the flood control budget. President Marcos earlier flagged that 20 percent of the P545-billion flood control allocation was awarded to just 15 contractors, with five holding nationwide contracts.
Last week, Dizon filed corruption cases against 20 DPWH personnel from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four private contractors. The Court of Appeals has also ordered the freezing of 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies linked to the ongoing probe into anomalous flood control projects.
The House Committee on Appropriations is set to hold a hearing on the revised DPWH budget this Wednesday.
