(Manila, 29th, Comprehensive Report) Philippine Budget Secretary Pangandaman emphasized yesterday that President Marcos Jr.'s directive to reallocate funds originally earmarked for 2026 flood control projects will not affect the country's overall infrastructure spending.
Pangandaman stated in a release that this reallocation, involving 255.5 billion pesos, is a strategic move aimed at giving priority to key government programs such as education and skills training, while also ensuring that important infrastructure projects continue as usual.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has reduced its 2026 budget proposal from 881 billion pesos to 625.78 billion pesos, eliminating duplicate or already completed projects. Pangandaman reiterated that the government will still fulfill its existing contractual obligations.
She explained that the government is adopting a "budget convergence" approach to reduce cross-departmental duplication of expenditures and strengthen results-oriented strategies to ensure more efficient resource allocation.
Under President Marcos Jr.'s directive, part of the flood control funds will be redirected to the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, with the aim to boost education and skills development capacity, meet rapidly increasing enrollment demand, and enhance the quality of higher education.
Pangandaman said she will work closely with Congress to ensure the smooth passage of additional appropriations, especially for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). She stressed, "Education has always been the top priority in the national expenditure program. We will ensure that funding is in place so students, teachers, and institutions receive the support they deserve."
Senator Aquino cited projections from an association of higher education institutions, stating that student numbers in 2026 will rise from the current 1.97 million to 2.27 million—an increase of 300,000. If funding does not increase accordingly, there could be a budget shortfall of 3.29 billion pesos.
Pangandaman pledged to adjust allocations flexibly based on actual enrollment data, ensuring the free higher education program covers all students without omissions or funding shortages.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has reduced its 2026 budget proposal from 881 billion pesos to 625.78 billion pesos, eliminating duplicate or already completed projects. Pangandaman reiterated that the government will still fulfill its existing contractual obligations.
She explained that the government is adopting a "budget convergence" approach to reduce cross-departmental duplication of expenditures and strengthen results-oriented strategies to ensure more efficient resource allocation.
Under President Marcos Jr.'s directive, part of the flood control funds will be redirected to the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, with the aim to boost education and skills development capacity, meet rapidly increasing enrollment demand, and enhance the quality of higher education.
Pangandaman said she will work closely with Congress to ensure the smooth passage of additional appropriations, especially for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). She stressed, "Education has always been the top priority in the national expenditure program. We will ensure that funding is in place so students, teachers, and institutions receive the support they deserve."
Senator Aquino cited projections from an association of higher education institutions, stating that student numbers in 2026 will rise from the current 1.97 million to 2.27 million—an increase of 300,000. If funding does not increase accordingly, there could be a budget shortfall of 3.29 billion pesos.
Pangandaman pledged to adjust allocations flexibly based on actual enrollment data, ensuring the free higher education program covers all students without omissions or funding shortages.