DPWH: Transparency resulted in P16.3B savings

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson: Transparency. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has saved more than P16.35 billion in nearly two years through “full transparency in operations,” as well as competitive and transparent bidding of infrastructure projects.

In a midterm performance report, a copy of which was furnished the Inquirer, the DPWH cited “institutionalized accountability” as one of the department’s key accomplishments.

“Reformed public works processes resulted in the elimination of waste and the curbing of corruption, a more prudent and objective selection of projects, and strict adherence to the policy requiring the preparation of a program of work with detailed estimates for each capital outlay instead of the indiscriminate release of funds,” it noted.

The agency credited “improved procurement procedures, as well as competitive and transparent bidding,” for the P16.35-billion savings, which the department plans to utilize for “additional infrastructure projects, like the development of government relocation sites for typhoon victims and the rehabilitation of storm-damaged roads and bridges,” among other things.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson has repeatedly asked the agency’s regional and district engineers, among other field personnel, to be transparent in the conduct of biddings in their areas.

He reminded them that biddings “should be competitive,” stressing that it was “no more business as usual.”

“There should be no collusion, no favors, no riggings and no negotiated contracts,” he said.

Singson warned that any DPWH official found colluding with contractors in the bids and awarding of contracts “shall be dealt with accordingly.

He said the department could achieve more than 20 percent in savings with transparent biddings.

During the DPWH’s 115th anniversary celebration on June 20, Singson said the department “had institutionalized accountability, enhanced the participation of citizens in governance and, more importantly, intensified infrastructure development.”

In a message, Singson noted that “while reforms are inclusive within our department, the results redound to good governance, accountability and transparency in its operations, which in turn deliver quality infrastructure that continues to spur job opportunities and the economic development of the whole country.”

Meanwhile, the DPWH has accredited 52 civil society organizations as partners in project monitoring. It also provides updates on the status of infrastructure projects on its website (www.dpwh.gov.ph) to “promote transparency and engage the public in project monitoring.”

Aside from a Complaints and Action Center, the department also maintains what it calls a “Citizens Feedback Platform” through its 24/7 call center hotline 165-02, which President Aquino inaugurated in 2011.