Marcos: New initiative could cut flooding by 60% in 2026

November 12, 2025 | 10:13 pm

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the launch of a new flood mitigation initiative, Oplan Kontra Baha: Greater Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations, held at Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday launched an initiative that could reduce flooding by 60% next year, as the country continues to suffer from widespread flooding that has exposed irregularities in government-led flood mitigation projects.

Speaking at the Balihatar Creek in Parañaque City on Wednesday, Mr. Marcos said the Greater Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations will serve as a template for similar projects in flood-prone provinces, including Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

“It’s the beginning of a very wide-ranging program to at least partially solve the problem of flooding, especially in the urban areas, especially in Metro Manila and the other highly urbanized cities and provinces,” he said.

The initiative, which sets up regular cleaning, dredging, and rehabilitation of waterways, marks the Marcos administration’s bid to overhaul the country’s aging and corruption-plagued flood control system through sustained maintenance and stricter oversight.

This comes as the country reels from the twin typhoons that hit in November, one of which is Typhoon Kalmaegi (Local name: Tino) which affected parts of Visayas, particularly submerging Cebu, where the highest death toll was recorded.

The first phase of the program will run for nine months from November 2025 to July 2026, focusing on clearing garbage, deepening spillways, and desilting creeks that have become too shallow.

Mr. Marcos said that in some areas, waterways have become so clogged that up to three meters of excavation are required to restore normal flow.

Initial studies estimated the cleanup could reduce flooding by as much as 60% once completed, he noted.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will later incorporate maintenance work into its regular operating budget to ensure continuous operations.

Mr. Marcos said the administration aims to transform Oplan Kontra Baha into a long-term, integrated flood management framework that includes watershed rehabilitation and upstream impounding systems to prevent floods before they reach urban centers.

“This is a long-term solution, and it is something that has been proposed for a very long time but somehow has never been implemented, and we are doing that now.”

“I am very optimistic that once we complete most of this, we will immediately feel by next year’s rainy season that flooding has been significantly reduced,” he added in Filipino.

The project draws on findings from Project NOAH, a nationwide flood risk assessment, and seeks to modernize the country’s flood management systems amid intensifying climate risks.

The Philippines is currently probing a controversial multibillion-peso flood control scam that has cast a shadow over the government’s infrastructure program, exposing alleged collusion between public officials and private contractors in the implementation of drainage and flood mitigation projects.

Investigators have flagged ghost contracts, overpriced materials, and substandard works that failed to deliver lasting protection against flooding — fueling public outrage and prompting Mr. Marcos to order a nationwide review of all ongoing and completed flood control projects.

Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines ranks among the world’s most disaster-prone countries.

Its position exposes it to frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, a geologic reality that has both shaped its terrain and continually tested its infrastructure, disaster readiness, and economic resilience. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

ICI probe focuses on 80 ‘ghost’ projects

November 12, 2025 | 10:12 pm

PBBM Marcos-DPWH — PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. inspected an unfinished P55-million flood control project in Baliwag City, Bulacan province that government records had listed as completed. — PPA POOL/NOEL PABALATE

PHILIPPINE oversight agencies have intensified their scrutiny of the initially flagged 421 infrastructure projects, with particular focus on 80 initiatives involving 15 to 18 contractors earlier identified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for potential anomalies, officials said on Wednesday.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), along with the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DoJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, held a high command conference to coordinate the probe into alleged irregular flood control and infrastructure projects.

The meeting aimed to align efforts and craft a unified action plan for investigating, gathering data, and prosecuting individuals and entities linked to anomalous infrastructure activities.

ICI special adviser General Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr. said teams were deployed to monitor and validate the projects on the ground.

“Last week, we were in Davao. This week, we intend to go to the Ilocos region, and by Sunday, we hope to be in Cebu,” Mr. Azurin told reporters at Camp Crame.

He said investigators will focus on Central Cebu, including Cebu City, which suffered severe flooding due to Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Tino.

“We want to see why these projects failed despite significant funding,” he said, referring to the P26 billion reportedly disbursed for flood control projects that were either incomplete or substandard.

The ICI is working closely with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the NBI for document collection, leveraging their subpoena powers. “We need to study the documents and monitor actual implementation,” Mr. Azurin said.

“All concerned agencies should have their own areas of inquiry,” he added, noting the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Trade and Industry, and Bureau of Customs among others could contribute to the investigation.

He said the commission is prioritizing 80 projects linked to the 15 to 18 contractors identified by the President. “The goal is to build solid cases where violations are found,” he noted.

The ICI targets to complete its field assessments swiftly to ensure anomalies are addressed and accountability enforced. “Our teams will continue site visits, documentation reviews, and coordination meetings to fast-track the investigation,” Mr. Azurin said.

Public Works Secretary Vicencio B. Dizon stressed the need for a systematic approach, citing the participation of multiple agencies including the emergency management team, the NBI, DoJ, and other enforcement units.

“The purpose of this meeting is to expedite and expand coverage,” Mr. Dizon said. “There are thousands of projects, and we need to validate each one quickly and systematically.”

He said each team must have full access to DPWH documents to inspect and validate projects efficiently so that cases can be filed without delay. The participation of police and military personnel, he added, ensures on-ground validation and logistical support.

Mr. Dizon said several cases have already been filed with the Ombudsman, with about 40 individuals expected to face jail time once the non-bailable charges proceed.

Authorities are also reviewing a 2017 master plan to compare proposed and implemented projects. “We are assessing the discrepancies holistically with support from Project NOAH, the University of the Philippines, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” he said.

MORE ‘GHOST’ PROJECTS

Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said it filed fresh fraud reports on P344 million worth of flood control projects in Bulacan, flagging irregularities to the ICI and exposing further corruption in public works.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state auditing body said that four riverbank projects across tributaries in the flood-prone province were “highly irregular,” with one structure flagged as complete despite being nonexistent.

State auditors said those involved with the projects could face graft and corruption charges, as well as malversation and falsification cases if found liable.

“These new filings are part of CoA’s continuing efforts to hold erring officials and contractors accountable for the misuse of public funds,” the auditing body said. “The public can expect additional reports to be submitted to the ICI as the agency’s audit investigation continues.”

Authorities have sped up probes into projects allegedly tied to a multibillion-peso kickback scheme involving politicians, state engineers and contractors, as public pressure for accountability continues to mount.

The scandal had struck a chord among Filipinos due to the scale of alleged collusion aimed at siphoning government funds from public works widely seen as essential in the flood-prone nation.

A province north of the Philippine capital, Bulacan has stood as the ground-zero of the unfolding public works scandal as its low-lying geography makes flood control projects a necessity for communities.

In its latest report, CoA revealed that a P74.15-million riverbank structure in Baliuag City north of Bulacan did not exist, despite being marked completed.

“No flood control structure was built by the contractor at the approved site,” state auditors said.

Another embankment structure worth P96.49 million in Baliuag City spanning 229-meters was a “redundancy” project, considering the public works contract involved a site with an existing flood control structure, which was already showing “several defects and cracks.”

In Balagtas municipality, state auditors flagged a project costing P96.49 million, which spanned 228 meters of the Balagtas River, as another redundant structure.

The agency also reported an incomplete flood control structure in Malolos City worth P77.19 million.

“CoA found a structure spanning 55 meters long at the approved location, which is 148.8 meters short of the agreed length,” state auditors said. “At the site pinpointed by the Department of Public Works and Highways, no flood control structure was seen by CoA despite the project being tagged as 100% complete.”

“The audit findings will aid the ICI in its investigation of irregularities in government infrastructure projects,” CoA said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

House committee opens Cha-cha talks as Senate resistance lingers

November 12, 2025 | 9:55 pm

PBBM Marcos-sona — PHILIPPINE STAR /KJ ROSALES

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

CONGRESSMEN on Wednesday opened discussions on amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a long-running political initiative pushed in the House of Representatives but one that has struggled to gain support in the Senate.

The House Constitutional Amendments Committee reviewed several Charter change (Cha-cha) proposals, ranging from easing foreign ownership and strengthening territorial claims in the South China Sea to lowering the minimum age for President and Vice-President and clarifying impeachment rules.

“All of these proposals that I have seen presented to the committee have great merit,” Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo V. Puno told the panel. “Although there are different specifics in each of these resolutions, the general objective is the same.”

Moves to amend the Constitution have been a recurring theme in Philippine politics, but previous attempts have always faltered due to lack of support from the public and the Senate, driven in part by concerns about political motives.

“We should try to adopt a measure that will have a good chance of passing in the Senate,” said Mr. Puno.

The House passed a resolution in 2023 supporting a constitutional convention, and a year later, pushed joint discussions on amendments by both chambers of Congress. A signature drive to support Cha-cha also fizzled amid allegations that lawmakers were behind the initiative.

Lawmakers last year brought Cha-cha discussions to the full plenary under a Committee of the Whole, in a move that drew wide public attention and had marked the Marcos administration’s most extensive push for constitutional amendments.

Also on Wednesday, the National Unity Party said its members filed a measure seeking to convene a constitutional convention that would tackle amendments to the 38-year-old charter, which it described as lacking in “textual precision.”

The 43-member political party pushed for House Bill (HB) No. 5870 to offer a more “prudent, participatory and legitimate mechanism for reform” to pacify fears that lawmakers might politicize changes to the Constitution if they do it themselves.

“This measure seeks to fulfill — not discard — the 1987 Constitution: to correct its errors, complete its intent and reinforce its authority with clarity and coherence,” the office of Mr. Puno, who heads the second largest political party in the lower chamber, said.

The proposal calls for convening 150 delegates from the country’s administrative regions, with each region allotted three delegates and additional seats allocated by population to ensure balanced representation. Elections would take place on May 11, 2025, according to the bill.

“There will be no appointive delegates, unlike in previous conventions, to further insulate it from political influence,” it said, noting that delegates must be natural-born citizens, at least 25 years old, holders of college degrees and independent from political office.

The delegation would be required to wrap up Cha-cha discussions a year after being convened, according to the measure.

BREEDS CORRUPTION AND DYNASTIES

“We need to amend the Constitution because it breeds corruption and political dynasties,” Isabela Rep. Antonio T. Albano told the committee. “All the ills that you see now, in what is happening to the country, is because we have not amended a single iota of this Constitution.”

He said political dynasties had tightened their grip on the system, pointing to what he saw as weaknesses in the charter.

The Philippine Constitution prohibits political families but was never enforced due to a lack of enabling law. Dynasties have to be clearly defined to prevent curtailing the right to participation, said Mr. Albano. “How can you say that there is a political dynasty when they are voted into office?”

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III had said the chamber will begin talks on an anti-dynasty bill as Congress is on the last leg of the session this year.

“We remain deeply skeptical,” a group of minority congressmen said in a separate statement. “History has shown us that political dynasties themselves have repeatedly blocked genuine reform.”

The Makabayan bloc urged the House leadership to fast-track their versions of anti-political dynasty bills, which it described as containing “clear and uncompromising provisions.”

“Is the promise real, or just another show?” Party-list Reps. Antonio L. Tinio, Renee Louise M. Co and Sarah Jane Elago said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should consider anti-dynasty legislation as a legislative priority, former Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said in a separate statement.

Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Tadeo I. Diokno said the Senate, too, should follow the House’s steps and consider passing a bill against political families.

“Filipinos have long awaited legislation against political dynasties,” he told reporters in Filipino. “In the House, we will strive to push the bill forward.

Enrile still in ICU, daughter says

November 12, 2025 | 9:50 pm

FORMER Senator Juan Valentin F. Ponce Enrile, Sr., who is currently the presidential chief legal counsel, is still confined in the intensive care unit (ICU), where he is being treated for pneumonia, his daughter said.

“He is under the dedicated care of his attending physicians and medical staff who are providing him the best possible treatment and attention,” Katrina Ponce Enrile said in a statement shared on her social media account on Wednesday.

“We are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers, and support extended to our family during this time.”

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada initially broke the news during Tuesday’s Senate plenary session, where he said the 101-year-old Mr. Enrile has “slim chances of surviving,” according to his “reliable source.”

This prompted the chamber to offer a short prayer, led by Senator Joel J. Villanueva.

Mr. Enrile also served President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s father and namesake, as minister for justice and defense under the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

He also served as the 21st Senate President from 2008 to 2013, stepping down amid allegations of his involvement in the pork barrel scam.

He was later incarcerated, posting bail in 2015 based on humanitarian reasons. In October, an anti-graft court acquitted him of 15 graft charges. — CAT

Tropical Storm Uwan re-enters PAR

November 12, 2025 | 9:46 pm

TROPICAL storm Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, which re-entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday evening, is expected to continue weakening due to unfavorable conditions and land interaction upon making landfall in Taiwan, the state weather bureau said.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Uwan, which has maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometer per hour (kph) and gusts reaching up to 90 kph, is now approaching southern Taiwan.

It was last located 210 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

Uwan claimed the lives of 27 people and injured 36, as of Nov. 12, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Batanes, where minimal to minor wind impacts are expected, PAGASA said. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

IBPAP defends operations during typhoons

November 12, 2025 | 9:40 pm

THE IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said that its member companies operate within the bounds of existing labor regulations and advisories even amid typhoons and other calamities.

“During the recent weather disturbance, companies implemented their respective business continuity plans to ensure the safety of employees while maintaining essential client operations,” the organization said in a statement on Wednesday.

Citing the memorandum circular issued by the Office of the President, the IBPAP said that the suspension of private sector work is left to the discretion of employers.

“Guided by this directive, IBPAP member companies continued operations as their global clients expected of them, doing much more than ‘business as usual’ for their employees,” it said.

“Management discretion always placed primacy on the health and safety of their employees and went beyond standard company processes and practices under normal conditions,” it added.

It said that employers considered internal risk assessments and provided additional benefits and conveniences to employees who opted to work on-site.

“In foreseen work disturbances due to typhoons or extreme weather, employers offered flexibility to work onsite or remotely, according to their employees’ preference and as conditions permitted,” it added.

The group stressed the importance of business continuity as the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry supports mission-critical operations across healthcare, telecommunications, banking, and other essential sectors.

“The ability to sustain operations even during emergencies is part of the industry’s responsibility to both its employees and its clients, ensuring continuity of livelihoods and services that millions around the world depend on,” it added.

Further, the group stated that it has ongoing engagements with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to protect IT-BPM workers. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Comelec to begin BSKE preparations

November 12, 2025 | 9:37 pm

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday that it will proceed with preparations for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), following the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision affirming the law setting a four-year term.

The Comelec said the decision provides clarity on the schedule and terms of office of barangay and SK officials, ending long-running speculations over election timing.

“This, hopefully, would finally put an end to endless speculations concerning the BSKE. Now that the SC has spoken, the Comelec can now focus on our timelines and our preparations,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said in a statement.

The high court ruled that Republic Act No. 12232 is a “term-setting law” rather than a poll-postponement measure. The slight shift in the election date for Barangay and SK elections does not fall under the guidelines used for postponing elections, the SC said.

The ruling upheld that the adjustment from a three-year to a four-year term is consistent with constitutional authority and does not infringe on voting rights.

The poll body confirmed that the next Barangay and SK elections will be set for Nov. 2, 2026, and that subsequent polls will follow every four years thereafter.

Comelec said it will now move forward with preparations, including setting timelines and coordinating with local offices for electoral process. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

58 smuggling cases filed this year — BoC

November 12, 2025 | 9:34 pm

smuggled products-customs — MEMBERS of the Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence Investigation Service inspect various counterfeit shirts, perfumes and other luxury goods at a warehouse in Las Piñas City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (BoC) has filed 58 smuggling cases before the Justice department this year, an official said during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

“From the period of January to September, the BoC has filed 58 criminal cases in the Department of Justice. It is a total of 157 individuals or importers,” Customs Deputy Commissioner Arnel P. Alambra told senators.

He added that the goods smuggled were valued at P2.23 billion, with duties and taxes valued at P2.58 billion.

In a presentation to senators, the agency reported it has filed 32 cases for agricultural smuggling with valued at P2.19 billion, followed by 14 case for misdeclared foreign currency, four cases for illegal drugs with a street value of P340.96 million.

Other cases included four cases for fuel smuggling valued at P9.79 million, one case of vehicle smuggling valued at P1.58 million.

Smuggling cases also included the illegal shipping of medicine, and general merchandise valued at P30 million and P261 million, respectively. — Adrian H. Halili

Senator seeks digital platform to track agri-goods

November 12, 2025 | 9:32 pm

rice palay farmer — A farmer plows a small rice field in Quezon City, Feb. 18, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A PHILIPPINE senator on Wednesday called for the implementation of a digital platform that would provide real-time view of the country’s food supply, crop production, imports, and prices.

“We need a system that shows the real picture from farm to market, with accurate data, we can prevent overproduction, stop speculative pricing, and ensure fair prices for both farmers and consumers,” Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, said in a statement.

She added that the digital dashboard would allow the public to access data on crop production, imports, and prices that would allow farmers, consumers, and policymakers to make informed decisions.

Ms. Marcos said that the platform will track crop yields, planting and harvest schedules, import volumes, and farmgate-to-retail prices.

“By consolidating this information, the government can import only when necessary, reduce waste, stabilize prices, and strengthen local production,” she said. “Data should drive our food policy not guesswork or middlemen.” — Adrian H. Halili

Philippine variety wins silver at World’s Best Rice Award

November 12, 2025 | 9:26 pm

Palay-worker — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE Philippines’ homegrown rice variety NSIC Rc218, popularly known as Mabango and sold locally as Dinorado, has won silver at the 2025 World’s Best Rice Award in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Chosen from 30 entries representing rice giants such as Thailand, India, and Australia, Mabango was chosen for its distinctive fragrance, tenderness, and flavor. Vietnam’s ST25 and Cambodia’s Phka Rumdoul varieties tied for gold.

Developed in 2009 by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute, Mabango also won third place in the same competition last year.

Rowena Sadicon, founder of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement, which submitted the entry, said the victory highlights the growing competitiveness of Filipino farmers.

“This win isn’t just about quality. It’s about identity — a reminder that the Philippines is not only the world’s largest rice importer, but also a nation capable of producing world-class, sustainable, and export-worthy rice,” Ms. Sadicon was quoted as saying in a statement.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in a statement that the achievement is a “proof that our farmers and scientists can stand with the world’s best,” and expressed hope that the Philippines could once again be-come a rice exporter. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

GSIS Touch app hits 2 million users

November 12, 2025 | 9:23 pm

USERS of the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) mobile application has reached 2 million, driven by the state pension fund’s digital transformation.

“Reaching two million users for GSIS Touch is a clear signal that we are on the right track with our digital-first approach,” GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” A. Veloso said in a statement on Wednesday. “This is particularly relevant at this time, when our members and pensioners need immediate, quick, and convenient access to services like emergency loans. The milestone represents two million members who can now get the help they need without leaving their homes nor wait in line.”

The number of GSIS Touch users represented a significant portion of the state pension fund’s more than 2.7 million members and pensioners.

GSIS said this came as 99.6% of its services have been fully digitalized.

GSIS Touch was launched in 2020 and provides 24/7 access to GSIS services such as loan application, claims filing, and real-time status tracking.

The app also generates a GSIS Digital ID to replace physical Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card.

By mid-2025, GSIS said the majority of its loan applications and service requests were initiated through the app.

The state pension fund’s digitalization has resulted in improved efficiencies, such as a 77% reduction in processing time online enrollment through the app. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Senate begins plenary debates on proposed P6.793-trillion budget

November 12, 2025 | 9:03 pm

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE SENATE started plenary debates on the proposed P6.793-trillion national spending plan for 2026, slashing Public Works budget while significantly increasing allocation for the education, health, and social welfare sector, amid public calls for greater transparency in the budget process.

“We are determined to restore what has been lost – leadership, accountability, and transparency,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the Finance Committee, said in his sponsorship speech, Wednesday evening.

“The first step towards rebuilding the trust of our people is showing them through specific and concrete actions, that their hard-earned money will be used responsibly, and that they know exactly where it is going,” he added.

The committee conducted 35 days of hearings before the budget proposals reached the Senate floor, following its implementation of transparency measures in the budget deliberations.

The panel slashed the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget by P55.91 billion to P568.56 billion from the P624.48 billion proposed by the House of Representatives, over “red flags” in the agency’s projects.

“During the hearings, we discovered several red flags such as roads with no station IDs, duplicate projects, projects in multiple phases, and reappearing projects from previous year’s budget,” Mr. Gatchalian said.

The government has been facing a mounting corruption scandal where billions of pesos in public funds were siphoned off by public works officials, lawmakers and contractors, triggering public outrage and drawing calls for transparency and accountability.

The panel also removed unprogrammed appropriation in its version of the 2026 budget, noting its potential to be another source of corruption.

“During the budget hearings, one of our most painful discoveries was that unprogrammed funds had turned into a magnet for corruption.” Mr. Gatchalian said.

The senator added that it cut unprogrammed funding to P174.5 billion, a P68.5-billion reduction from its counterpart bill.

“Of 11 line items in unprogrammed funds, the Senate version reduced them to seven, with only three cash items.”

The Senate earlier vowed to weed out problematic budget insertions after the 2025 spending plan was flagged for unprogrammed appropriations. The 2026 proposal includes P250 billion in such funds, most of which are pre-planned initiatives rather than emergency contingencies.

Senators hiked allocations for the Education department to P992.66 billion, P78.5 billion higher than the House proposal of P914.14 billion, mainly to fund the construction of classrooms.

“One of our most urgent priorities is addressing the nation’s long-standing classroom backlog,” he added, noting a P19.3-billion increase to P68 billion for classrooms.

Senators also allocated P376.5 billion for the Health department to fund the Universal Health Care and Zero-Balance Billing Program.

Funding for Zero-Balance Billing program was increased by P9.3 billion to P62.6 billion, aimed at benefiting about 18 million Filipinos.

“These initiatives aim to ensure that every Filipino can access quality healthcare without the burden of financial hardship when seeking medical treatment,” the senator said.

The budget panel also increased funding for programs under the social welfare department, including the social pension benefits and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

Broken down, funding for social pensions for indigent senior citizens rose by P8.2 billion, while the 4Ps program climbed to P101.8 billion.

Last month, the House of Representatives approved on final reading House bill No. 4058, the General Appropriation Act, which rechanneled funding meant for flood control to the education, food, and healthcare sector. It also removed about P35 billion for unprogrammed appropriations.

Next year’s spending plan is 7.4% higher than last year’s budget, and equivalent to 22% of the country’s gross domestic product, which grew by 4% during the third quarter.

The Senate seeks to deliberate the national spending plan until Nov. 26, according to a copy of plenary debate schedule sent to reporters. Following Senate approval, the bicameral conference committee will convene from Dec. 3 to 6.

REBUILDING TRUST

Jose Enrique A. Africa, executive director of the research group Ibon Foundation, said that eliminating unprogrammed funding would show the Senate’s commitment to fiscal integrity and democratic control.

“Unprogrammed appropriations are among the least accountable items in the budget and are, in effect, executive pork barrel funds. Their vague purposes and off-budget nature reduce effective public oversight,” he said in a Viber message.

Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati said that cutting unprogrammed appropriations would help rebuild public trust.

“Cutting the P250-billion unprogrammed funds would signal fiscal discipline and help rebuild public trust by limiting discretion and enhancing transparency. But it should be replaced by social services for the people,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Adolfo Jose A. Montesa, an advisor for the People’s Budget Coalition, said unprogrammed funding must be removed from the budget as it is a potential source of corruption.

“Due to its lump sum and contingency nature, the projects under unprogrammed appropriations are not subject to the same scrutiny that the regular budget goes through. Because of the lack of transparency and accountability,” he said in a Viber message.

He added that Congress must reallocate “patronage-based pork” towards better government aid policies programs.

“These programs have been weaponized by politicians as a means to create a dependent relationship – aid in exchange for votes. This is a form of pork that we must eliminate.”

He said that Congress must institutionalize transparency and accountability policies in the budget process, noting that this would lower corruption cases in the government.

“The most effective antidote to corruption is transparency, openness, and accountability — if we allow citizens to participate during every stage of the budget process, we are minimizing the opportunities for politicians to misappropriate funds,” Mr. Montesa said.

According to Mr. Africa, making the budget process available to the public is a crucial anti-corruption measure.

“The 2026 budget deliberations are happening amid widespread public frustration over opaque processes and anomalous pork barrel starting with but beyond flood-control projects,” he said.

He added that Congress must also disclose all legislative district allocations and all proponents of amendments or insertions.

The Senate in August mandated that all documents relating to the 2026 budget be uploaded to online platforms. This includes all transcripts of committee hearings, briefings, and technical working group meetings.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said earlier that the bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed budget will be livestreamed to the public, following calls for better transparency in government spending.