President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. revealed on Friday he has reallocated over P195 billion originally intended for the flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to augment the budget for disaster response and rehabilitation efforts.
Mr. Marcos made the announcement during his visit to storm-hit communities in La Union, where he distributed aid. He assured farmers and families across northern Luzon that the government is mobilizing substantial resources to help them recover from recent typhoons.
“There were projects that did not address the problems they were supposed to solve, including some ghost projects,” President Marcos said. “We stopped them to ensure that public funds are used properly. This money is not the government’s, it’s the people’s money,” he added.
Of the total P255-billion reallocated amount, around P36 billion will go to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for emergency programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which provides financial support for medical needs, hospitalization, and other urgent expenses during emergencies.
President Marcos also highlighted the government’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which offers training and financial support to help Filipinos start small businesses and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
He cited examples of families who were able to send their children to school or even employ others after participating in the program.
“The SLP does not just provide help, it empowers people to rise above poverty,” he said. “Many beneficiaries are now helping their neighbors and hiring workers because of the opportunities they received,” he added.
The president underscored the resilience and determination of Filipinos, especially those in northern Luzon, to recover from disasters and rebuild their lives.
He said the administration remains committed to ensuring that relief and recovery support reach all affected areas, citing ongoing efforts to provide food packs, health kits, fuel subsidies, fertilizers, and cash assistance to victims of recent tropical storms.
“We are here to make sure that all the assistance we prepared will reach everyone affected,” President Marcos said. “We want to ensure that even if people cannot go back to work yet, they have food to eat, they stay healthy, and their children are safe.”
The Department of Agriculture distributed fuel and fertilizer support, along with identification cards that will allow farmers to access cash aid and seed replacement programs.
Mr. Marcos noted that agriculture has been among the hardest-hit sectors in recent typhoons, which have destroyed farmlands and disrupted livelihoods nationwide.
