By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is fully supportive of the Senate’s call to cut project costs by up to 30% as part of a broader reform push ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to clean up the agency and ensure value for money in public works spending.
During the 2026 DPWH budget hearing chaired by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday, Sec. Vince Dizon said Pres. Marcos Jr. has instructed him to sustain infrastructure development while rooting out corruption and inefficiency in the department.
“Direktiba ng Pangulo na wala tayong sisinuhin, wala tayong sasantuhin,” Sec. Dizon said, referring to the department’s ongoing validation of more than 400 suspected ghost projects flagged by a joint inter-agency task force.
He added that the DPWH is updating its Cost per Meter Database (CPMD) and Detailed Unit Price Analysis (DUPA)—unchanged since 2015—to align project costs with current market prices and prevent overpricing.
Sen. Loren Legarda proposed an “across-the-board” 25% to 30% reduction in DPWH infrastructure line items, warning that Congress cannot approve a budget padded with excessive prices.
Sen. Bam Aquino supported the move, suggesting an initial 20% cut pending the completion of the DPWH’s review.
“In conscience, we cannot sign off on a budget if we know the design and cost of materials are overpriced. Let’s go for the real price of these projects—that’s what the people deserve,” Aquino said.
Dizon said the department welcomes the Senate’s initiative and assured that reforms in cost control, transparency, and planning will continue beyond his term.
“Dalawang taon lang po ako dito… Sana po itutuloy-tuloy lang po ‘yung mga reporma [na] inutos mismo ng ating Pangulo,” he said.
