Manila, Philippines — December 14, 2025
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Sunday clarified that the agency did not reinstate previously flagged overpriced construction material costs, nor did it seek the revival of projects that had been removed from the proposed 2026 national budget.
Dizon made the statement during the second day of the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberations on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act, amid questions surrounding the agency’s request to restore funds trimmed by the Senate.
“Alam po ng buong Pilipinas na matagal nang overpriced ang presyo ng DPWH,” Dizon said, emphasizing that the issue of inflated material pricing has long been acknowledged and is now being addressed through stricter controls and updated costing mechanisms.
The DPWH Secretary explained that the agency’s appeal to lawmakers focused solely on the restoration of reduced funding to ensure the proper implementation of ongoing and priority infrastructure projects. He stressed that the request was not intended to bring back outdated or questionable pricing, but to support projects that require adequate financing under revised and more realistic cost standards.
Earlier, the Senate reduced the DPWH’s proposed 2026 budget from ₱624.48 billion, as approved by the House of Representatives, to ₱570.48 billion, citing concerns over material costing and project allocations.
To address transparency and prevent future pricing issues, Dizon said the DPWH will enforce tighter monitoring of the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD) through the issuance of updated and more accurate materials price guidelines.
Deliberations on the DPWH’s proposed 2026 budget remain ongoing as the Bicameral Conference Committee continues to reconcile the differing versions of the national budget passed by the House and the Senate.