Marcos Stands Firm on Budget Alignment
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a firm warning to lawmakers in both the House and Senate: he will reject any proposed national budget that does not align with the government’s programs. This clear stance was emphasized during his recent State of the Nation Address (Sona) amid ongoing concerns about the country’s flood control initiatives.
Marcos stressed that the 2026 national budget must strictly follow the National Expenditures Program (NEP). He declared, “I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditures Program. And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget.”
Understanding Budget Process and Reenacted Budgets
The four-word keyphrase “budget not aligned with” reflects the president’s resolve to ensure government spending matches planned projects. The NEP represents the budget proposed by the executive branch and submitted to Congress for review. While Congress can propose changes, these adjustments must not exceed the spending limits set by the president.
Once the House finalizes its amendments, the budget becomes the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). If the GAB is not signed into law before the year ends, the government must operate under a reenacted budget, continuing expenditures based on the previous year’s allocation.
Demanding Accountability in Flood Control Spending
President Marcos also vowed a thorough audit and performance review of government projects. He stated, “There will be an audit and a performance review regarding these projects, to check, make sure, and to know how your money was spent. In the coming months, charges will be filed against people found guilty after an investigation, including their conniving contractors.”
He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability: “The people need to know the whole truth, and there has to be accountability for corruption and damage.”
Concerns Raised Over Flood Control Budget
Concerns over flood control spending have surfaced, notably from local leaders who highlighted that nearly half of the nearly P2 trillion allocated since 2011 may have been lost to corruption. Senator Panfilo Lacson pointed out the troubling correlation between rising floodwaters and the increasing budget for flood management.
“Isn’t it absurd that the rise of floodwaters in our country is directly proportional to the increase in the annual budget for the national government’s flood management program? For 15 years since 2011, the DPWH was supposed to have spent almost 2 trillion pesos. And yet,” he said in a local radio interview.
Lacson cautioned against blaming climate change alone, calling it a “convenient excuse for some.” He urged improvements in preparation, planning, and implementation, adding, “We also cannot discount that of the P2 trillion in allocations, P1 trillion may have ended up in some people’s pockets.”
For more news and updates on government budget alignment, visit Filipinokami.com.
