Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to rethink its priorities in the proposed 2026 national budget, urging that the ₱260 billion allocated for flood control projects be redirected to education, health, and other basic public services.
Speaking during a ceremony at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Aquino said the country needs stronger investments in education rather than infrastructure projects that have not fully addressed flooding issues in recent years. PLM conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Education degree in recognition of his authorship of the Libreng Kolehiyo Law or Republic Act 10931, which provides free tuition for students in state and local universities and financial aid for those in private institutions.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education and the Committee on Science and Technology, said the same amount set aside for flood control could instead be used to support teachers, build more classrooms, and expand scholarship programs nationwide. He noted that more than 3.5 million students currently benefit from the Libreng Kolehiyo Law through the Tertiary Education Subsidy and the Tulong Dunong Program.
“Education, not corruption. Remove the flood control fund and put it to classroom construction instead,” he said. “Remove the flood control fund and put it for teachers’ benefit instead.”
