Pres. Bongbong Marcos Reveals Instruction to DPWH Before Heading to Kuala Lumpur
BONGBONG MARCOS – The President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reduce the material costs by 50%.
The DPWH became the center of criticisms amid the flood control issue in the Philippines. Some officials of the agency are accused of involvement in the alleged kickback system in the awarding of flood control projects. Some officials of the department have already been dismissed from service.
Amid the process for the passing of the 2026 national budget, Pres. Bongbong Marcos even ordered a “sweeping review” on the proposed budget of the DPWH for next year. Amid the flood control issue, there’s also a change of leadership.
Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan resigned from the post amid the flood control mess and the calls for him to step down. Marcos Jr. appointed Vince Dizon, a former secretary of the Department of Transportation.
DPWH Chief Vince Dizon previously said that he will order the “courtesy resignation” of all officials of the agency amid the supposed flood control corruption. He also abolished the internal investigation committee of the agency as he believes that an agency allegedly cannot probe itself.
Amid the flood control issue in the country, Malacañang claimed that the DPWH has already filed cases against 22 officials and contractors who are allegedly involved in the supposed scam. DPWH Chief Vince Dizon also previously said that non-bailable cases are set to be filed against controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
Following the sweeping review of the agency’s proposed budget, it was reduced by P252 billion to P625.8 billion. Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos made another order towards the DPWH before he heads to Kuala Lumpur.
The President is set to the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Before leaving the country, he announced that he ordered the DPWH to reduce the material costs for the projects by “as much as 50%”.
Based on the report, Pres. Bongbong Marcos said the DPWH screened the construction items and found overpricing of some materials. He particularly mentioned steel bar, asphalt, and cement.
“In order to ensure that the costs of DPWH will reflect the costs of the market and to ensure that the people’s money is correctly spent, I have directed the DPWH Secretary to bring down the cost of materials by as much as 50 percent which will result in savings in the Capital Outlay spending of at least thirty to forty-five billion pesos,” Marcos Jr. said.
Amid the flood control issue in the Philippines, a DPWH office in Quezon City was caught by fire.