CAGAYAN — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday assured the public that government funds will be safeguarded and used solely for programs that improve the lives of Filipinos, vowing that past abuses in multi-billion peso flood control and infrastructure projects will not happen again.
“Titiyakin po natin na hindi na po mauulit ‘yung ating nakita. Titiyakin po natin na bawat sentimo na pera ninyo – hindi namin pera ito, pera ninyo na ibinahagi ninyo sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan,” Marcos said during his remarks at the Gonzaga People’s Gymnasium, where he also distributed aid to typhoon-hit farmers and residents.
The President stressed that the government is merely a “custodian” of taxpayers’ money, entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that every peso is spent to uplift Filipino families under the Bagong Pilipinas vision.
“Kami po ay kung tawagin ay ‘custodian’ lang, tiga-bantay lang kami sa pera ninyo. Hindi amin ‘yan. Sa inyo pa rin ‘yan,” he emphasized.
Marcos also announced the realignment of the PhP255.5 billion allocation originally earmarked for locally funded flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2026. He explained that cancelling these projects prevents the misuse of funds and instead allows resources to be directed to programs that directly benefit Filipinos.
The reallocated budget will be distributed across priority agencies and programs, including:
- PhP35.91 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for 4Ps, AICS, psychosocial support for teen mothers, child protection initiatives, livelihood programs, and disaster resource centers.
- PhP26.55 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for classroom construction, feeding programs, ARAL initiatives, and education for indigenous peoples.
- PhP39.37 billion to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for farm-to-market roads, irrigation, fisheries infrastructure, crop insurance, and coconut planting.
- PhP29.28 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) for medical aid to indigent patients, hospital completion, and cancer care.
- PhP60 billion to PhilHealth for the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, BUCAS centers, and outpatient medication access.
- PhP9.3 billion to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for scholarships and assistance.
- PhP1 billion to TESDA for skills training.
- PhP450 million to the Philippine Science High School System.
- PhP3 billion to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for MRT rehabilitation.
- PhP18 billion to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for TUPAD and emergency employment programs.
- PhP5 billion to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for irrigation system repair and development.
- PhP2.5 billion to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
- PhP4.62 million to the Department of Energy (DOE) for electrification projects.
- PhP135 million to the Department of Finance (DOF) for anti-agricultural smuggling campaigns.
- PhP4 million to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for waste-to-energy projects.
The President underscored that the reallocation reflects his administration’s commitment to channeling every peso toward initiatives that bring tangible benefits to Filipinos.
