Malacañang on Monday announced major funding allocations for agriculture, health, and PhilHealth, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscoring his administration’s commitment to ensuring that public funds are spent on programs that directly benefit Filipinos.
In a Palace press briefing, Press Officer Usec. Atty. Claire Castro said the government has allotted ₱39.37 billion for the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Use. Castro relayed that the president intends to prioritize agricultural improvements among others.
“Prayoridad ng pamahalaan na maibalik at pasiglahin ang hanap-buhay ng magsasaka.”
The fund will be used for farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-mill roads, deep water ports, fish ports, as well as financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.
It will also cover the Crop Insurance Program, Solar Power Irrigation Program, National Soil Health Program, and a massive coconut planting program.
The President also allocated ₱5 billion for irrigation systems under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
On health, the Office of the President granted ₱20 million each for DOH hospitals and ₱5 million each for provincial hospitals.
An additional ₱29.28 billion was added to the DOH budget to provide more assistance to indigent patients, complete legacy hospitals, and improve treatment for cancer patients at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
The government has also set aside ₱60 billion for PhilHealth to expand benefits, strengthen the YAKAP at Bukas programs, and increase the medicine coverage of guaranteed and accessible medications for out-patient treatment from 75 to 100 variations of medicine.
According to Usec. Castro, the Marcos administration will ensure transparency and accountability in government spending.
“Titiyakin ng gobyerno na magpapatuloy ang pag-uusig hanggat hindi napapanagot ang mga lumabag sa batas,” he said, referring to alleged corruption in flood control projects.
To further support the health sector, the Palace declared that ₱255.55 billion was reallocated from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) after a reassessment of its 2026 budget.
The fund will be redirected to strengthen the health sector and support medical frontliners.
“Pinag-aralan ng DPWH, ni-reassess nila ‘yong pondo na supposedly for the 2026 budget at nakita nila kung ano ‘yong dapat tanggalin at ito ‘yong matitipid nila; magkakaroon ng fiscal space for the 255.5 billion. Mas nanaisin ng pangulo na ito’y mailagay sa tamang mga programa at para mas makatulong sa mga kababayan natin,” Castro explained.
