House realigns ₱255.528-B flood control funds in 2026 budget

The House of Representatives realigned the P255.528 billion in flood control project funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to augment appropriations for three key sectors-P56.637 billion for education, P92.575 billion for health, and P53.754 billion for agriculture.

- By ELLSON QUISMORIO

The realignment was made before the House of Representatives passed on second reading the county’s proposed 2026 national budget worth P6.793 trillion during a rare plenary session late Friday afternoon, Oct. 10.

Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, the presiding officer during the session, declared House Bill (HB) No. 4058 or the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) as approved on second reading at past 5:30 p.m. after a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes). The ayes drowned outthe nayes, thus setting up the GAB's third reading approval on Monday, Oct. 13.

Standing in plenary as sponsor of the measure was Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela "Mika" Suansing.

Earlier during Friday's session, Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos moved to replace the contents of HB No. 4058 with a substitute measure to reflect the realignments made by the landmark Budget Amendments Review SubCommittee (BARSC) to GAB next year.

An innovation of the 20th Congress and formed after allegations of budget insertions and flood control project anomalies were brought to the fore, the BARSC of the appropriations panel effectively replaced the "small committee".

Foremost of these realignments was the DPWH'S P255.528-billion flood control project funds.