A legislator from Batangas is pushing for the reallocation of P14 billion from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) budget of Congress to fund disaster relief and nationwide food assistance programs.
Through House Resolution No. 1118, Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste urged the House of Representatives to redirect part of its proposed 2026 budget toward the distribution of food packs for disaster victims and rice assistance for Filipino families, following consultations with the House Committee on Accounts.
The proposal cites the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which allocates P18.58 billion in MOOE for the House of Representatives, P4.12 billion for the Senate, and P1.19 billion for the Commission on Appointments and electoral tribunals, bringing the total congressional MOOE to P23.89 billion.
Leviste said that even if P14 billion is reallocated, Congress would still retain nearly P9.89 billion in MOOE funding. He suggested the amount could finance either millions of food packs or up to 28 million sacks of rice, enough to provide assistance to Filipino households nationwide.
The lawmaker also pointed to the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao, particularly in Sarangani, as a key reason for expanding government relief efforts, noting that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) currently provides P500 family food packs under its assistance program.
He further raised concerns over MOOE allocations for lawmakers, citing reported additional allowances and so-called “break bonuses,” alongside basic monthly office allocations for members of the House. He said transparency in spending would help clarify how public funds are utilized and improve accountability.
Leviste added that a portion of the MOOE budget remains broadly categorized under general expenses, which he said should be reviewed to ensure funds are directed toward more urgent public needs, especially disaster response and food security programs.