Without insertions, 2026 flood control projects may face massive budget cut

Purely without budget insertions, next year's funding for flood mitigation projects could face a massive reduction, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

- By DERCO ROSAL

During her inspection of flood-affected roads and flood-mitigation structures in Pampanga on Monday, Aug. 4, DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the government's 2025 total allocation for flood control projects stood at P346.6 billion.

However, for next year, the proposed budget allocation for flood control could be slashed by more than a quarter, or 26.1 percent, to P274.9 billion, based on the figure from the emerging 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) disclosed by the DBM.

But possible budget insertions are out of the equation, the agency said. It was also clarified that although a budget cut is proposed, congressional deliberations could still push a swing to a higher allocation.

Last Friday, National Socioeconomic Planner Arsenio Balisacan stressed the need to prioritize the completion of flood mitigation, such as impounding dams, over injecting funds in social programs, such as medical assistance and assistance to low-income individuals.

Sought for her opinion, Pangandaman said jacking up funding for flood-control projects could be considered but it must be identified with proper planning.

It has been days since a string of typhoons and other weather disturbances hit the country and floodwater in Metro Manila has already subsided. However, roads remain submerged in floodwaters in some parts of Pampanga.

Upon monitoring, Pangandaman said there were agencies or individuals involved in public works and highways who neglected their mandates for no apparent reasons.

"There are a lot of people who neglected their jobs. We don't know the reason, but there are people who neglected their jobs," Pangandaman said. She inspected infrastructure projects in two localities in Pampanga province-in Apalit town and Barangay Candating in Arayat-which were severely affected by flooding brought about by successive typhoons and rainfall.