Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to significantly reduce its spending on construction materials—by up to 50 percent—in response to concerns about overspending.
In a statement, President Marcos said the move is part of a broader effort to “clean the house,” reviewing the agency’s budget and putting a temporary pause on certain expenses while reforms are assessed.
This directive comes amid scrutiny of flood-control and infrastructure programmes implemented by the DPWH, which have drawn allegations of irregularities and cost-inflation.
By cutting spending on materials and reviewing contracts, the administration hopes to contain budget leaks and ensure that public-works funds are used efficiently. Officials also emphasise that foreign-assisted projects may proceed under stricter oversight, but locally-funded ones will undergo closer examination.