President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Friday that P255.5 billion supposedly meant for flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) next year has been transferred to other agencies to fund priority programs.

During his visit to San Fernando City in La Union, Marcos said the reallocation of funds to other agencies became possible since he uncovered non-existent or substandard flood control projects.

“Kaya’t itinigil ko lahat ‘yan para matiyak natin na tama naman ang paggamit ng pera ninyo dahil pera ninyo ito,” Marcos said.

“Hindi pera ng gobyerno ito, pera ng taong-bayan ito. Kaya’t tinitiyak natin na tama ang gawa,” the President emphasized.

The Chief Executive said the reallocated DPWH funds from flood control projects would go to programs that truly benefit the people.

“Ilalagay natin sa lahat ng pagtutulong, lahat ng benefits para sa ating mga kababayan,” the President said.

The budget reallocation includes:

P36 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Assistance for Individuals in Crisis (AICS), Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP);

P26.55 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, school-based feeding programs, education of indigenous peoples, Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, salary of non-DepEd ARAL tutors, flexible learning options, Madrasah Education, and Special Needs Education Program;

P39.37 billion to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for post-harvest facilities, assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, crop insurance, deep water porters, fishport construction, among others;

P29.28 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) for Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, legacy hospitals and children with cancer at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center;

P60 billion to Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Centers, Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment;

P9.3 billion to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

P1 billion to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);

P450 million to the Philippine Science High School System;

P1 billion to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT);

P18 billion to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program and the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program; and

P600 million to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the Beneficiaries’ Development and Sustainability Program and Land Tenure Security Program. Presidential News Desk