During the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) year-end press conference on Thursday, Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted ongoing efforts to hold officials accountable while implementing systemic reforms.
“Ang kailangan talaga nating tutukan ay yung pagre-reporma natin sa DPWH. Dahil napaka-importante po ng DPWH sa buhay ng mga kababayan natin,” he said.
Among the key measures is the DPWH Transparency Portal, which posts full details of all projects online, including approved budgets, material costs, and breakdowns of spending. Dizon noted the portal would make large-scale corruption nearly impossible.
“Hindi naman magagawa yung pagnanakaw dun sa scale na nakita natin kung may transparency. Mahirap magnakaw ng gano'n at mangloko kung out in the open natin,” he said, citing past abuses at the Bulacan First District Office.
According to Dizon, the department is also actively reducing project costs. Newly approved projects from the bicameral conference will be posted on the portal with their revised costs and explanations for reductions. Regional and district offices are tasked with finalizing adjustments before projects are bidded to ensure efficient spending without compromising quality.
Dizon further emphasized accountability measures, noting that the DPWH has forged partnerships with the Insurance Commission, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and Philippine Competition Commission to monitor and refer violations.
He said reports and referrals regarding issues in Cebu’s flood control projects will be ready for submission to the Office of the Ombudsman by January 2026.
The reforms also focus on critical infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, flood control systems, and the long-awaited rehabilitation of EDSA.
“While importante talaga na managot yung mga dapat managot, makulong yung mga dapat makulong, maibalik ang pera, importante din na gumawa tayo ng mga reforma para hindi na maulit ito” Dizon said.
Looking ahead, the secretary said the department will continue improving the transparency portal, which was launched by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., posting updates in real time, and monitoring projects over the holidays to ensure readiness for the 2026 rollout of infrastructure programs.
