House Appropriations Panel OKs Proposed 2026 National Budget, Reallocation of P255 Billion Funds from DPWH
The proposed 2026 national budget amounting to P6.7 trillion earned the approval of the House Appropriations panel.
The Department of Public Works and Highways became the center of criticisms amid the flood control mess in the Philippines. Several officials of the agency were supposedly involved in the flood control scam that cost the country billions of money.
Previously, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the sweeping review of the DPWH budget proposal for 2026. It came amid the claims that there are allegedly some items in the proposed 2026 national budget that seeks budget appropriations for projects that are already completed.
The proposed 2026 national budget amounts to P6.7 trillion. The Congress is preparing for the upcoming budget deliberations that is said to be livestreamed so the public can see it.
Following the review of the proposed budget of the agency for 2026, DPWH chief Vince Dizon cut the proposed fund of the agency by P255 billion. He also requested for its reallocation to other sectors.
Amid the upcoming budget deliberations, the House Appropriations panel has approved the P6.7 trillion proposed 2026 national budget. Furthermore, it has also approved the reallocation of the P255 billion budget cut from the initial proposed budget of the DPWH to the following:
- P7 billion for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (P7,000 per beneficiary)
- P14.82 billion for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD)
- P32.6 billion for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations
- P8.9 billion for Farm-to-Market Roads
- P121 million for the Expansion of the Cybercrime Response Center (CRC)
- P26.73 billion for Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program
- P1 billion National Soil Health Program
- P2.4 billion for Deep Water Ports for Agri-Industrial Product
- P1. 5 billion for Communal Irrigation System – Repair and Restoration of
Pump Irrigation
- P1.5 billion for Cold Storage
- P2.69 billion for Tulong Dunong Program
- P4.076 billion for Solar Powered Irrigation Program
- P2 billion for Construction/ Rehabilitation/ Improvement of Fish Ports
- P627.5 million additional funding for the Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey Project (PGSSP)
- P1 billion for the Crop Insurance Program
- P1 billion for the National Broadband Program
- P1.4 billion for Massive Coconut Planting Program
- P6.6 billion for Tertiary Education Subsidy
- P2.4 billion for completion of legacy hospitals such as National Kidney and Transplant institute, Philippine Cancer Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, among others.
- P35 million to support the Department of Finance’s mandate under Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti- Agricultural Sabotage Act
- P1.3 billion for Enhancing Sugar Production Project/Farm-to Mill Road
- P2.5 billion for the Cybersecurity Information Infrastructure Development and Management
- P1.5 billion for National Irrigation System – Repair and Restoration of New
Irrigation Systems
- P30.5 million for the Expansion of the Cybercrime Complaint Center (C3)
- P79.46 million for the funding requirements for the implementation of Konektadong Pinoy Act
- P24.9 million for the Establishment of the Threat Monitoring Center (TMC)
- P10 million for confidential fund of the Bureau of Internal Revenue
- P10 million for the confidential fund of the Bureau of Customs, among others.
Several government officials are linked to the flood control project anomalies in the Philippines. Recently, based on a report on GMA News, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo accused former Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, former Sen. Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co of allegedly receiving kickback from the government flood control deals.
Amid the issue, the Department of Justice or DOJ confirmed that they are attempting to track Rep. Zaldy Co now who is in abroad to determine his location.