SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano has proposed reallocating a portion of the funds originally set for flood control projects to the scholarship program of the Commission on Higher Education.

Cayetano highlighted that with the proposed P6 trillion national budget and P1 trillion allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), only P117 billion — or just 10% — is earmarked for state universities and colleges.

“Sa loob ng dalawang taon, halos isang trilyon ang budget ng DPWH, at P350 billion doon ay para sa anti-flood projects, pero ganun pa rin ang baha,” he noted.

He argued that education could be just as good an investment as infrastructure, particularly if a well-designed scholarship system is put in place for college students.

“Can you imagine kung aalisin natin ang P100 billion mula sa DPWH, at dodoblehin ang budget ng mga SUCs, baka ma-flood tayo ng mga research at estudyante, imbes na baha,” he quipped.

Cayetano emphasized that while investing in education is crucial, CHED must ensure that these funds are used effectively to benefit Filipino students.