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Gatchalian Warns Of Red Flags In DPWH Budget As Dizon Launches Sweeping Reforms
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - DPWH PART 2. Screengrab from Congress PH
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has sounded the alarm over what he described as multiple “red flags” in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed 2026 budget, particularly in its P270 billion allocation for flood control projects.
Gatchalian cautioned that unresolved issues of duplication, repetition, and incomplete project details could open the door to a repeat of “ghost projects,” similar to anomalies uncovered in previous years. He said Congress will not move forward unless the DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) resubmit a cleaner, fully justified budget.
“If the problems are not corrected, we will have no choice but to remove the P270 billion for flood control and channel it to education to help reach the 4 percent GDP target,” the senator stressed, noting that several projects lacked basic details such as station numbers that make on-site verification difficult.
At a hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered a sweeping review of the agency’s budget following mounting reports of anomalies. Dizon cited a recent case in Plaridel, Bulacan, where a flood control project worth nearly P100 million was listed as completed and paid for in 2024 but was only started weeks ago.
Calling the situation “unprecedented,” Dizon admitted that the department faces systemic problems in planning, procurement, and project monitoring. He said the President directed him to initiate reforms “from top to bottom,” including the demand for courtesy resignations from DPWH officials and a temporary pause on biddings to install safeguards.
“These reforms will not be easy and will not be quick, but they must begin now. Enough is enough,” Dizon told lawmakers, pledging tighter oversight to prevent waste and abuse in future projects.
Both the Senate and House are now awaiting the revised DPWH budget from DBM, a process that could delay deliberations but, lawmakers say, is necessary to restore public trust in one of the country’s biggest spending agencies.
Gatchalian cautioned that unresolved issues of duplication, repetition, and incomplete project details could open the door to a repeat of “ghost projects,” similar to anomalies uncovered in previous years. He said Congress will not move forward unless the DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) resubmit a cleaner, fully justified budget.
“If the problems are not corrected, we will have no choice but to remove the P270 billion for flood control and channel it to education to help reach the 4 percent GDP target,” the senator stressed, noting that several projects lacked basic details such as station numbers that make on-site verification difficult.
At a hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered a sweeping review of the agency’s budget following mounting reports of anomalies. Dizon cited a recent case in Plaridel, Bulacan, where a flood control project worth nearly P100 million was listed as completed and paid for in 2024 but was only started weeks ago.
Calling the situation “unprecedented,” Dizon admitted that the department faces systemic problems in planning, procurement, and project monitoring. He said the President directed him to initiate reforms “from top to bottom,” including the demand for courtesy resignations from DPWH officials and a temporary pause on biddings to install safeguards.
“These reforms will not be easy and will not be quick, but they must begin now. Enough is enough,” Dizon told lawmakers, pledging tighter oversight to prevent waste and abuse in future projects.
Both the Senate and House are now awaiting the revised DPWH budget from DBM, a process that could delay deliberations but, lawmakers say, is necessary to restore public trust in one of the country’s biggest spending agencies.
Sep 5, 2025
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