Manila: Only flood control projects that meet all necessary requirements will be allowed to proceed, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Saturday, emphasizing his commitment to curbing irregularities in the implementation of infrastructure projects. During an aid distribution in Gonzaga, Cagayan, Marcos stated that flood control projects will only be implemented if the proposal and program of work are properly prepared and have clearance from the local government units (LGUs).

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos assured the public of the continued implementation of fully compliant flood control projects, noting that more than PHP300 billion are available to fund them until next year. He emphasized that funds are not yet depleted and that compliant projects will continue. He added that flood control projects would be approved as long as the proposal, program of work, completion, and LGU acceptance are in order.

The President lamented the previous scrapping of the requirement for LGUs to formally accept national infrastructure projects, a process he said ensures transparency and accountability. He has since restored the policy requiring LGUs to formally accept projects before they are declared completed, attributing substandard and nonexistent projects to the lack of LGU participation.

Marcos highlighted the importance of having clearance from local government officials, which ensures projects are executed properly, done right, and not overly expensive. Moving forward, he announced the restoration of the acceptance process by local government executives.

Additionally, the President has ordered the realignment of PHP255.5 billion, originally intended for flood control projects in 2026, to fund the priority programs of other government agencies. He warned that without such measures, the funds could be misallocated.