Manila, Aug. 28 -- Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday called for a reassessment of the proposed PHP243-billion flood control budget for 2026, saying funds for projects not deemed necessary should be redirected to education and healthcare.

"If we really concentrate and put the money where the important programs are, ano ba talaga ang dapat pagkagastusan natin nang tama (What should we really be spending on properly)?" Aquino said in a news release.

Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said the amount allotted for flood projects would likely be reduced, with hopes that a portion of it can be shifted to fund free education and universal healthcare.

"The PHP243 billion in the 2026 budget for flood control, I'm guessi...