Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

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

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was under fire at the House of Representatives on Wednesday as lawmakers raised concerns over the agency&#x27;s price estimates for materials, particularly its Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD).</p><p>According to Baguio Lone District Rep. Mauricio Domogan, the price of cement under the CPMD is far lower than actual costs. </p><p>During the House Committee on North Luzon Growth Quadrangle meeting, the Baguio lawmaker also mentioned wanting the DPWH to validate the cost of construction materials in each locality.</p><p>&quot;The prices of construction materials are totally very low compared with the actual prices of construction materials in our own area. For example, the price of cement, P209.82, that&#x27;s under the CMPD. You cannot buy any bag of cement in the city of Baguio for this price. What the city is using is P350. The estimate of the city that we are using in implementing the project– P235, P240– no, P209. And to make it worse, this price is considered as delivered on site. So what do we expect will be the outcome of the project?&quot; Domogan asked.</p><p>&quot;We are totally against bloated estimates. But underestimate is the same– as worse as a bloated estimate,&quot; Domogan added.</p><p>Domogan then moved for deferment of implementation of projects scheduled for bidding in all regions until estimates on pricing have been corrected.</p><p>The motion was seconded.</p><p>DPWH Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar vowed to submit a written report to address concerns on pricing within a week. </p><p>This was after he asked lawmakers for DPWH Secretary Dizon to be given the opportunity to explain details on the CMPD. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MASTER PLAN ON FLOOD CONTROL </strong></div><p>The DPWH is coordinating with Project NOAH and other agencies to come up with a master plan on implementing flood control projects in 2027, according to Bisnar.</p><p>Bisnar added that an option they are looking at for 2026 flood control is using augmentation from 2025. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ROAD SAFETY CONCERNS</strong></div><p>Concerns over safety on the Nueva Vizcaya-Pangasinan Road were raised by Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas during a hearing.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m quite alarmed with the situation. Unti-unti na pong nag-e-erode ‘yung ilalim po ng kalsada,&quot; Primicias-Agabas said.</p><p>According to DPWH Region I&#x27;s Richard Ragasa, they sent requests to the central office for funding back in November for P15M, in October for P170M, and July for P220M following damage from typhoons Uwan, Emong, and Paolo.</p><p>Bisnar said they will follow up on this.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s an inter-region concern. And I would like to appeal to this august body, our committee, that we should pass a resolution... We need the immediate intervention of our dear president for the funding for the coming 2026 budget,&quot; Primicias-Agabas said.</p><p>Mountain Province Lone District Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr. suggested including other areas with typhoon damages in the resolution after lamenting supposed delays in quick response fund (QRD) release. </p><p>Primicias-Agabas moved towards urging immediate rehabilitation by the DPWH of severely damaged sections of different road lines.</p><p>This was seconded during the hearing.</p><div><br/></div>

<p>DPWH Usec. Arthur Bisnar asked lawmakers for DPWH Secretary Dizon to be given the opportunity to explain details on the CMPD.</p>

DPWH Usec. Arthur Bisnar asked lawmakers for DPWH Secretary Dizon to be given the opportunity to explain details on the CMPD.

House lawmakers flag supposed issues in DPWH pricing

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House lawmakers flag supposed issues in DPWH pricing

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 28, 2026 04:12 PM PHT

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Updated January 28, 2026 05:44 PM PHT

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DPWH

House of Representatives

flood control

CMPD

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