Camille Naredo

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Francis Orcio

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175812092471520250825-dpwh-building-JC0852.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste on Wednesday pressed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to pursue reforms in reducing project costs through the Detailed Unit Price Analysis (DUPA), saying that doing so would allow the government to stretch its budget and fund more infrastructure projects without requiring additional appropriations. </p><p>During the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Leviste cited the reforms initiated by former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, who previously directed a 10 percent cut in DUPA rates. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/17/dpwh-s-revised-2026-budget-proposal-slashed-by-p255-billion-following-review-0857">READ: DPWH&#x27;s revised 2026 budget proposal slashed by P255B following review</a></div><p>“Noong panahon po ng ating dating DPWH Secretary, the detailed unit price analysis ay pinilit niyang ibaba ng at least 10%. At sabi po ni Secretary Singson na kaya daw pong ibaba pa ito ng 15% hanggang 20%. May I ask, Mr. Chair, the opinion about lowering the DUPA so that we can fund more projects within the same budget?” Leviste asked. </p><p>DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the department is already looking into the proposal, underscoring the need for more efficient use of resources. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/17/ex-dpwh-engineers-alcantara-hernandez-lose-driver-s-licenses-for-using-fake-ones-at-casino-1957"><strong>Ex-DPWH engineers Alcantara, Hernandez lose driver&#x27;s licenses for using fake ones at casino</strong></a></div><p>“Isa iyon sa mga plano nating gawin in the coming weeks and the coming months na gawan ng paraan na ibaba po ang DUPA. Hindi lang nationwide. Kailangan pong i-review natin ang maigi with the end goal of bringing it down in order to be more efficient in the utilization of the budget,” Dizon said. </p><p>Pressed further if at least a 10 percent reduction is possible, Dizon replied: “At least 10 percent po ay kaya pong ibaba yan across the board.” </p><p>Leviste noted that even a 10 percent cut would already generate huge savings. </p><p>“So, if there&#x27;s at least 10% savings, there could be an additional P62 to P88 [Billion] of savings that could go either to more projects or help close the deficit,” he said. </p><p>Beyond DUPA, Leviste also pushed for equitable budget allocation based on population and land area, suggesting that DPWH adopt a simplified formula similar to how the national tax allotment is divided. </p><p>Dizon agreed, saying the department will revisit its allocation strategy. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/16/dizon-lifts-suspension-on-procurement-for-locally-funded-civil-works-1556"><strong>DPWH chief Dizon lifts suspension on procurement for locally-funded civil works</strong></a></div><p>“I&#x27;m a believer in keeping things simple, Mr. Chair, and like I said I think there is a need to really revisit the way the department is allocating its budgets, and we will be doing so and revisiting this formula in future budgets,” he said. </p><p>The DPWH chief also vowed stricter accountability for contractors and personnel behind substandard or ghost projects, noting that the agency is now working with the newly formed Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).</p><p>“Lahat po ng either ghost o mga substandard na proyekto, ay magbubukas po ng kaso ang ICI, at kung sino po ang kailangan managot para dito sa mga proyektong ito ay pananagutin po. Ikalawa po, ang mga contractor po dito ay definitely po ay iba-blacklist. Kailangan mas gawin pong mas mabilis at gawin pong mas may ngipin po ang mga parusa at ang mga penalties ng blacklisting,” Dizon said. </p><p>Leviste closed his interpellation by reiterating his appeal for both lower project costs and a fairer allocation of DPWH resources. Earlier at the September 17 budget hearing, the DPWH disclosed it had slashed its 2026 budget proposal by P255 billion for flood control projects.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ADDED ITEMS</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Dizon said that his team will also look into who put the &quot;problematic items&quot; into the DPWH initial budget proposal for 2026. </p><p>This was Dizon’s response to Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña’s question during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing about what he planned to do with proponents of duplicated projects and projects that were allocated more funding despite being completed already.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/11/a-timeline-of-the-philippine-flood-control-scandal-0600"><strong>A timeline of the Philippine flood control scandal</strong></a></div><p>“Aalamin po natin kung sino ang mga ito at isasama po natin sa ating ongoing investigation, from top to bottom,” said Dizon.</p><p>“Kung meron po kayong information, I will be more than happy to accept whatever information you can provide regarding this,” he added.</p><p>According to Dizon, this is one of the more urgent and immediate steps they are taking to rid the DPWH of corruption.</p><p>“Kailangan immediate ang pananagot ng mga kailangan managot kaya wala kaming tigil sa pag-iimbestiga… Habang nag-iimbestiga kami, kami ay magfafile immediately ng mga karampatang kaso, both administrative and criminal charges,” he said.</p><p>As for the House Committee on Appropriations, it also vowed to guard against possible budget insertions this time around.</p><p>“Kailangan nating mabantayan. Kung maibabalik man (yung mga naalis), saanman mapunta, kailangan ma-verify na iyon talaga yung kailangan,” said committee Vice Chairperson Rep. Ronald Singson.</p><p>“And I think there was also a guarantee from the Majority Leader Sandro Marcos na hindi lalayo sa NEP (National Expenditure Program) yung GAA (General Appropriations Act) natin for 2026,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3cDe2jM_1HI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the department is already looking into the proposal, underscoring the need for more efficient use of resources. </p>

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the department is already looking into the proposal, underscoring the need for more efficient use of resources.

Solon pushes for lower DPWH project costs; Dizon vows review of pricing system

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Solon pushes for lower DPWH project costs; Dizon vows review of pricing system

Francis Orcio,

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 18, 2025 12:26 AM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Budget Hearing

DPWH

Vince Dizon

Flood Control

Leandro Leviste

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