Ejercito secures DPWH backing for long-term infra

Ejercito secures DPWH backing for long-term infra | Daily Tribune

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito gained a key ally in his push to institutionalize long-term infrastructure planning, as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon threw his support behind Senate Bill No. 2, or the Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND) Act.

During the DPWH budget hearing on Monday, Ejercito sounded the alarm on what he described as systemic flaws in the country’s infrastructure planning.

He warned that the absence of a unified, long-term framework has resulted in overlapping projects, irregularities, and massive government spending with little to show in terms of result, particularly in flood control.

“We spend P350 billion a year on flood control — that’s about P1 billion every day,” Ejercito said. “But flooding in Central Luzon and Metro Manila keeps getting worse because projects are scattered and inconsistent. We need a masterplan that continues regardless of who’s in power.”

The proposed MIND Act seeks to institutionalize a strategic, long-term approach to infrastructure, ensuring continuity in the development of key sectors such as transportation, flood mitigation, and regional connectivity, even as leadership changes.

“With the MIND Act, we can hit two birds with one stone—we ensure continuity in development while preventing waste and corruption,” Ejercito said, stressing that the bill would rationalize infrastructure spending and strengthen transparency and governance.

DPWH Secretary Dizon echoed Ejercito’s concerns, acknowledging that many infrastructure projects over the years have been undertaken without proper coordination or alignment with a national development plan.

At the hearing, Dizon revealed that the DPWH, with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is currently developing a Central Luzon Floodway Masterplan, which is expected to be completed by August 2026.

Ejercito first introduced the MIND Act during the 19th Congress. It is now one of the priority bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) in the ongoing 20th Congress.

The senator expressed confidence that with backing from the DPWH and growing support from the executive branch, the bill could help end decades of “build-then-forget” practices that have left communities vulnerable to flooding and poor infrastructure.