DPWH pauses local project bidding

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has suspended the bidding of all locally funded projects for two weeks, in line with the government's ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

- Erika Mae P. Sinaking

“I will order today a pause to all ongoing bidding of all locally funded projects nationwide,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

The suspension of ongoing bidding processes will apply to all national, regional and district offices, and will only be in effect for a maximum of two weeks, Mr. Dizon said, adding this will help the agency develop and implement safeguards against so-called “ghost” projects.

He said all foreign-funded projects will continue because he is confident that foreign funding agencies are closely monitoring project implementation.

The agency’s decision is also in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address on July 28, directing the DPWH to submit a full list of projects from the past three years and ordering an investigation into flood control projects.

The department has submitted a list of over 9,000 projects completed between July 2022 and May 2025. Of these, 160 projects have undergone validation, with 15 reported as missing or unlocated, according to former DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan.

Nigel Paul C. Villarete, a senior adviser on public-private partnerships at the technical advisory group Libra Konsult, Inc., said the suspension is a welcome development especially if the aim is to prevent any more irregularities.

He said it would be better if the government just paused the awarding of these projects.