MANILA – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has pledged that the agency will deliver high-quality, transparent infrastructure projects in 2026, emphasizing stricter standards, enhanced monitoring, and zero tolerance for irregularities amid the ongoing P20-billion flood control scandal probe. The assurance came during a year-end briefing on December 23, 2025, as DPWH prepares to implement its portion of the reconciled 2026 budget—expected to exceed P600 billion despite Senate cuts.
Dizon outlined key 2026 priorities:
- Quality Assurance: Mandatory third-party testing, geo-tagging, and real-time monitoring for all projects.
- Anti-Corruption Measures: Full adoption of revised Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD) to prevent overpricing; citizen oversight committees.
- Efficiency Focus: Faster completion of flood mitigation, roads, and bridges to address climate vulnerabilities.
“We learned hard lessons in 2025—the public demands and deserves better. 2026 will be about rebuilding trust through tangible, durable results,” Dizon said, noting recoveries of over P100 million in kickbacks and frozen accounts as progress markers.
The vow aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for “no sacred cows” in cleanup efforts, with Dizon assuring no revival of flagged “ghost” items in the new budget. DPWH aims to complete backlog projects while launching resilient designs for typhoon-prone areas.
For Filipinos weary of substandard works that fail during rains, this commitment isn’t rhetoric—it’s resolve, aiming to pave 2026 with roads that last and trust that endures.
2026 DPWH Focus Snapshot:
| Priority | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Quality | Third-party testing, geo-tagging |
| Transparency | Citizen monitoring, CMPD enforcement |
| Resilience | Climate-proof designs, flood mitigation |
| Accountability | No tolerance for anomalies |