Pasay city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expanded his previous directive for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reduce inflated infrastructure costs, now mandating all government agencies to implement the same pricing reform. This initiative aims to curb corruption and align project costs with genuine market rates.
According to Philippines News Agency, in his departure speech for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea, Marcos emphasized the importance of transparency and fiscal discipline across the government. The directive is part of efforts to enhance the Philippines’ regional position and attract investments by cleansing the bureaucracy of corruption, as stated during his address at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
The new policy affects infrastructure and capital outlay projects managed by the Departments of Education (DepEd), Agriculture (DA), Health (DOH), Transportation (DOTr), and the Interior and Local Government (DILG), alongside the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). President Marcos noted that the Department of Public Works is currently aligning its project costs with actual market prices, ensuring that the quality of constructions remains uncompromised while reducing corruption.
This directive builds upon a policy initially imposed on the DPWH after audit findings revealed project estimates inflated by up to 50 percent. Marcos stressed that this system must now become the government-wide standard, reducing costs for future farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, classrooms, and hospitals. Relevant departments are instructed to adopt this pricing system immediately.
The savings from the cost review will be redirected to programs aimed at uplifting families, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening communities. This initiative is part of an ongoing investigation into corruption in public infrastructure, especially concerning flood control projects.
Marcos concluded by reinforcing the government’s commitment to public trust and integrity, promising significant change for both present and future generations of Filipinos.
