President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that unused funds for flood control projects under the 2025 national budget will be reallocated to other priority sectors such as health and education.

Speaking to reporters before returning to Manila following his three-day State Visit to Cambodia, President Marcos said that of the PhP350 billion allotted for flood control in the 2025 national budget, about PhP225 billion will not be utilized.

“Then we will spend it on other things,” the President said when asked where the savings would be spent. “There is a budget of 350 billion for 2025. Because of all of these allegations, investigations that are occurring, na-delay lahat ‘yan.”

The President explained that the flood control budget for next year will be about PhP275 billion, noting that allocations for foreign-asssted projects will remain as planned.

President Marcos, meanwhile, said that the locally funded portion of the budget estimated at PhP225 billion could be redirected to other key government priorities.

“Pero ‘yung locally funded kung tawagin na project that amounts to about 225 billion, we will reappropriate it to education, to health, and other departments that are in need of this funding,” the President said.

President Marcos earlier noted that no new funds will be allocated for flood control in the proposed 2026 national budget, stressing that the 2025 allocation remains sufficient and should be fully utilized first. | PND