President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on September 27 the reallocation of P255.55 billion originally intended for flood control projects to various social service and infrastructure programs, vowing to ensure public funds directly benefit Filipinos.
Speaking during an aid distribution event in Cagayan province, the President emphasized that the government acts only as a “custodian” of taxpayers’ money.
“We will ensure that every centavo will go toward improving the lives of our countrymen,” Marcos said.
The decision follows recent controversies surrounding flood control projects.
The reallocated funds will now support priority programs across multiple agencies, including:
• P26.55 billion for DepEd’s classroom construction and feeding programs
• P39.37 billion for DA’s farm-to-market roads and irrigation
• P29.28 billion for DOH’s medical assistance and hospital completion
• P60 billion for PhilHealth’s health programs
Other agencies receiving allocations include CHED for scholarships, TESDA for skills training, DOTr for MRT rehabilitation, and DOLE for employment programs.
Marcos assured the public that the government is taking measures to prevent past abuses in infrastructure projects from happening again, emphasizing that all public funds should ultimately improve the lives of Filipinos. — iNewsPH.com
