via Veejay Monderondo
Corruption has long been one of the Philippines’ most persistent challenges cutting across institutions and undermining the nation’s growth. From misplaced public trust to billions lost in questionable government projects, the problem has become deeply entrenched in the political and economic fabric of the country. It is within this broader context that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), one of the largest and most powerful agencies, finds itself under the microscope for massive irregularities in its projects.
The recent appointment of Vince Dizon as DPWH chief has given lawmakers and the public a glimmer of hope. Known for his work on infrastructure under the Build, Build, Build program, Dizon was immediately tasked with leading an agency-wide cleanup. On his first day in office, he ordered the courtesy resignation of all ranking officials to pave the way for reforms and restore credibility within the department.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also stepped into the fray, creating an independent commission to investigate corruption inside the DPWH. The body, composed of legal and technical experts, is focusing on questionable flood control projects that have consumed hundreds of billions of pesos in public funds yet yielded little visible progress.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has confirmed that it has launched a fraud audit of flood control projects, particularly in Bulacan, where nearly half of the P548 billion allocated for Central Luzon flood works since 2022 has been spent. Using geo-tagging, site visits, and compliance reviews, COA aims to determine whether these projects exist on the ground or merely on paper.
A particularly alarming revelation came directly from President Marcos Jr.: out of nearly 10,000 flood control projects implemented since 2022, more than 6,000 lacked basic technical documentation. The president also disclosed that 20% of the P545-billion flood control budget went to only 15 contractors, with some projects sharing identical contract costs — red flags for possible collusion.
Senator Panfilo Lacson has been one of the most vocal critics, describing DPWH as a “playground for syndicates.” In a privilege speech, he argued that what the country needs is not just flood control but “greed control,” pointing to systemic collusion between officials, contractors, and even lawmakers. His exposé echoed the frustrations of a public long weary of grand infrastructure promises that collapse; literally and figuratively, under scrutiny.
The issue has also reached the House of Representatives, where Batangas lawmaker Leandro Leviste exposed alleged bribery attempts by DPWH officials to block congressional inquiries. This incident highlighted that corruption is not only about missing funds, but also about efforts to silence oversight and accountability.
Behind these figures lies a human cost that cannot be ignored. Communities reliant on flood protection infrastructure have repeatedly suffered during typhoons, with shoddy dams and embankments collapsing under pressure. The misuse of funds and delivery of substandard projects put lives and livelihoods directly at risk.
The fight to reform DPWH corruption is now at a crossroads. With a new secretary in place, an independent commission in motion, and mounting pressure from both the Senate and COA, the opportunity to cleanse the agency has never been greater. Yet the question remains whether these efforts will translate into real accountability — or whether the cycle of scandals will once again repeat itself, at the expense of the Filipino people.
