President Marcos vetoed P16.7 billion worth of flood control projects in various regions from the P6.326 trillion 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) even as he urged government agencies to spend their allocations more conscientiously.
The projects whose budgets were turned down included P4.58 billion for the construction and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems, P2.88 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of flood mitigation facilities within major river basins and principal rivers, and P182.7 million for the construction and rehabilitation of water supply/ septage and sewerage/rainwater collectors.
Also vetoed were P9 billion for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps- Flood Mitigation Structures protecting Major or Strategic Public Buildings and Facilities, and P150 million for Basic Infrastructure Program-Flood Mitigation Structures protecting Major or Strategic Public Buildings and Facilities.
The President rejected the highest amount of flood control projects in Region 3 with P7 billion, followed by Region 2 with P3.2 billion.
In November, Mr. Marcos said he supported legislators’ review of the various flood control projects amid a series of typhoons that hit the country, leaving scores of areas flooded for days and even killing over 100 individuals.
Meanwhile, the President urged agencies to use their share of the 2025 national budget responsibly.
On Monday, Mr. Marcos signed the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) after vetoing P194 billion in line items he deemed inconsistent with his administration’s priorities.
The original budget was set at P6.352 trillion, but the vetoes reduced it to P6.326 trillion.
In his veto message made public on Tuesday, the President emphasized that the 2025 budget reflects the “liberal exercise of Congress’ power of the purse.”
“I call on the conscientious utilization of this Budget with the end in mind of sustaining the country’s high-growth trajectory and managing inflation while accelerating the implementation of well-targeted social services and structural reforms geared towards achieving our medium-term goals of reducing poverty incidence, decreasing unemployment rates, and achieving upper middle-income status,” Mr. Marcos said.
Although the final GAA for 2025 differs significantly from the Executive’s proposed budget, the chief executive reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to “continued implementation and innovation of reforms in public financial management, procurement, and digitalization.”
Mr. Marcos stressed the importance of a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach” for a more efficient and transparent public service.
“While we have attained much thus far, we still have a long way to go in achieving a truly inclusive, sustainable and future-proof economy,” he added.
