The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said its proposed ₱6.793-trillion 2026 national budget earmarks ₱2.49 billion for the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of flood control and drainage systems nationwide, covering existing projects only.
“Instead, the proposed ₱2.49 billion allocation is dedicated to the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of existing flood-control related projects and programs, including the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha program,” the DPWH said.
“These funds will support essential declogging, desilting, dredging, repair, and clearing operations to ensure the functionality of waterways and drainage systems nationwide as well as other maintenance requirements of existing flood control-related projects,” it added.
Under the budget, each of the 18 regions, including NCR, CAR, and BARMM, receives ₱100 million for ongoing flood control projects.
Nationwide initiatives account for ₱690 million, funding projects such as CAMANAVA flood structures, Manggahan flood control, Agno and Iloilo river systems, Pasig-Marikina River channel improvements, Manila Bay rehabilitation, and desilting and dredging of waterways.
The DPWH emphasized that no new locally funded flood control projects are included, citing the President’s directive to streamline expenditures amid ongoing investigations into alleged anomalous projects involving supposed kickback schemes.
“The Department is committed to maximizing these resources to mitigate flooding risks despite the fiscal constraints,” the agency said.
The budget reduction comes after the ratified bicameral report cut the DPWH allocation from ₱880 billion to ₱529 billion, following malversation and graft charges filed against officials and contractors linked to substandard and ghost flood control projects.