President Marcos realigns P36 billion from flood control for DSWD’s 4Ps and crisis aid

• President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the realignment of P36B originally allocated for DPWH flood control projects

• The funds will be transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to strengthen its primary social protection programs

• Key programs receiving the funds include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS)

• The President also announced a review and potential amendment of the 4Ps Act to ensure beneficiaries are not prematurely removed from the poverty-alleviation program

In a decisive move to bolster the nation's social safety nets, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the reallocation of approximately P36 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) flood control projects to various crucial programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The major fund transfer, announced by the Chief Executive on Friday, is a direct response to the administration's push to prioritize direct aid and social protection, particularly in the wake of recent controversies surrounding infrastructure projects.

The President unveiled the significant budgetary shift during the "Kumustahan Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya" event at Malacañang Palace, emphasizing that the freed-up funds would ensure the sustainability and expansion of key social programs.

The decision to divert funds from the DPWH’s flood control allocation follows the administration's ongoing scrutiny of alleged “ghost” and non-existent flood control projects that have recently surfaced during budget deliberations and Senate probes, hinting at a broader strategy to redirect resources from projects marred by irregularities to sectors with measurable social impact.

The P36-billion augmentation is earmarked to significantly reinforce the DSWD's flagship initiatives, most notably the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Established in 2008 and institutionalized as a poverty reduction program, 4Ps provides conditional cash transfers to indigent households to improve their health, nutrition, and education outcomes.

President Marcos stated that the new funding is crucial for strengthening the program, which is vital for the country's most vulnerable citizens.

Furthermore, he disclosed that the government is studying potential amendments to the 4Ps Act (Republic Act No. 11310). This review aims to address beneficiaries' concerns about being abruptly exited from the program after the mandated seven-year period, regardless of their current economic situation.

"Sinisiguro natin na bawat hakbang ay nakabatay sa masusing pagsusuri, upang manatiling matibay at epektibo ang 4Ps para sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan nito," President Marcos said, acknowledging the anxieties of families over losing crucial support before achieving genuine self-sufficiency.

Beyond the 4Ps, the P36-billion fund will substantially boost the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

AICS provides essential, immediate assistance—often in the form of medical aid, hospitalization guarantees, and money for maintenance medicines—to Filipinos facing emergencies.

This comes at a critical time, as DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian had previously flagged that the proposed 2026 budget for AICS was significantly lower than the previous year, potentially leaving millions of Filipinos without necessary aid.

The additional allocation will now enable the DSWD to serve a far greater number of people in crisis.

A portion of the funds will also be channeled into the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program.

The SLP focuses on helping beneficiaries become entrepreneurs or obtain better employment, thereby graduating from poverty.

The increased funding for PAMANA is specifically targeted at strengthening incentives for former combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), facilitating their reintegration into society through livelihood, infrastructure, health, and educational support in conflict-affected areas.

The bold reallocation underscores the administration's strategic shift toward immediate and tangible social welfare delivery, optimizing public spending by reallocating funds from underperforming sectors to proven poverty reduction programs.

The move is viewed as a clear political signal that funds will be redirected from non-performing, potentially anomalous infrastructure projects to social programs that provide direct benefit to citizens.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.

Recently, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed his "very angry" reaction after discovering a P55-million flood control project in Baliuag, Bulacan, was a "ghost" project. The project, a 220-meter river wall, was officially listed as 100% complete and fully paid for, but the president found no signs of construction during his inspection. The government is considering filing economic sabotage charges against the contractors and individuals involved in the fraudulent scheme. Marcos revealed the tip about the fraudulent project came from the public through his "Sumbong sa Pangulo" website, a platform for citizens to report government malpractices.

It can also be recalled that during SONA 2025, President Marcos Jr. issued a direct order to boost mental health services for Filipino youth in public schools, emphasizing the urgent need for more school counselors. The President's directive targets the escalating issues of bullying and emotional challenges among students, recognizing the need for government intervention beyond academic assistance. A new nationwide initiative, the "YAKAP Caravan," was announced, offering free medical services and aiming to facilitate early detection of psychological stress among students and teachers. President Marcos revealed a PHP 1 billion allocation for over 300 new Barangay Child Development Centers, a crucial step in addressing the long-standing shortage of daycare facilities across the country.

Source: KAMI.com.gh