MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured Filipinos that public funds will be safeguarded and used wisely, vowing that past abuses in the implementation of multibillion-peso flood control projects will not be repeated.

Speaking at the Gonzaga People’s Gymnasium in Cagayan, where he distributed assistance to typhoon-affected residents and farmers, Marcos emphasized that government officials are mere custodians of taxpayers’ money.

“Titiyakin po natin na hindi na po mauulit ‘yung ating nakita. Titiyakin po natin na bawat sentimo na pera ninyo – hindi namin pera ito, pera ninyo na ibinahagi ninyo sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan,” the President said.

He announced the realignment of the PhP255.55 billion allocation for locally funded flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed 2026 budget, redirecting the funds to priority programs across various agencies.

“Kung hindi po natin ginawa ‘yan, ‘yang 255 billion na ‘yan kung saan-saan na lang mapupunta. Kaya mabuti, kaya kinansila na po natin lahat ng flood control project para sa 2026 at iyan po ang naging savings natin,” Marcos said.

The reallocated funds include PhP35.91 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s 4Ps, AICS, and other social protection programs; PhP26.55 billion for the Department of Education’s classroom construction, school feeding, and ARAL program; and PhP39.37 billion for the Department of Agriculture’s farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities, crop insurance, and coconut planting program.

Other major allocations are PhP29.28 billion for the Department of Health’s medical assistance and hospital completion; PhP60 billion for PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program and urgent care services; PhP9.3 billion for CHED scholarships; PhP18 billion for DOLE’s TUPAD and livelihood programs; and PhP5 billion for NIA irrigation projects.

Smaller allocations will go to TESDA (PhP1 billion), Philippine Science High School (PhP450 million), DOTr (PhP3 billion for MRT rehabilitation), DICT (PhP2.5 billion), DOE (PhP4.62 million for electrification), DOF (PhP135 million for anti-agricultural smuggling), and DENR (PhP4 million for waste-to-energy).

Marcos stressed that the realignment is part of building a Bagong Pilipinas where every peso is spent to improve the lives of Filipino families.

“Kami po ay kung tawagin ay ‘custodian’ lang, tiga-bantay lang kami sa pera ninyo. Hindi amin ‘yan. Sa inyo pa rin ‘yan,” he said.