Dizon orders suspension of road reblocking over corruption concerns

Secretary Vince Dizon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced Friday an indefinite suspension of road reblocking nationwide due to allegations of corruption.

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“Effectively, I am now suspending all reblocking activities… and I will issue a new department order (DO) on reblocking,” Dizon said at a press conference.

He said the suspension follows reports of road reblocking projects—particularly in Bocaue, Bulacan, and Tuguegarao City—being carried out despite the absence of actual issues.

Dizon alleged that these projects may have been undertaken to secure kickbacks.

“Why does the DPWH keep tearing up roads that seem perfectly fine, only to redo them? Well, in many cases, we probably already know why… it’s because some people are making money out of it,” he said.

“They profit from tearing the roads up—and they profit again from rebuilding them,” he added.

However, Dizon clarified that the suspension does not affect maintenance work on roads that are already damaged.

“But if the roads aren’t damaged, like those in Bulacan and Tuguegarao, that’s definitely not allowed,” he said.

According to Dizon, the forthcoming DO on road reblocking will be more “clear” and “transparent,” ensuring that such projects are properly justified./mcm