Remove the effects of corruption and the number of public projects will double, which is in effect the gain the country expects to derive from the earnest campaign to restore integrity in government.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to slash the cost of “overpriced materials” by 50 percent and to regularly review the cost of materials used in its projects.

Before he left for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Marcos said in his departure remarks that some construction materials have different costs and do not reflect current market valuations.

“The DPWH has looked into the pricing of construction materials and found that several items, like asphalt, steel bars, and cement, were overpriced by as much as 50 percent,” he said.

He noted that once the DPWH has looked into this, the government can save money “in the capital outlay spending of at least 30 to 45 billion pesos.”

“This is money that we can use for services such as health, education, and food that our people desperately need,” he said.

Biggest reform ever

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the President’s order would constitute the agency’s biggest reform.

“We started several weeks ago reviewing and benchmarking prices, and the President is right. Many of these prices are indeed far from the market price of various materials,” he said.

He added that in the next few days, the DPWH will announce the steps it will take in response to the President’s order.

Dizon clarified that the President’s 50-percent cut order doesn’t mean substandard materials will be used.

“The substandard project, the ghost project, that doesn’t just come from the price; it comes from the fraud of DPWH people colluding with whomever they want,” he said.

The DPWH chief stressed that reforms must be implemented within the agency to eliminate corrupt practices.

By doing so, Dizon pointed out that the DPWH must closely monitor construction projects.

“We also need to monitor construction projects carefully. We need to do all of that at the same time, and according to the President’s directive, it is necessary. Let’s change the trend, let’s change the old habits. We will change the old habits, and that is what we should do in the DPWH,” he noted.

First Couple in KL

President Marcos, accompanied by the First Lady and the Philippine delegation, left Manila onboard Philippine Airlines PR001 at 11:28 a.m. yesterday and arrived at the KLIA Bunga Raya Complex at 2:50 p.m.

In his departure message, Marcos said he will join other ASEAN members in reaffirming their commitment to ASEAN Centrality and in navigating pressing issues both regionally and globally, including developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and other threats to regional peace and maritime security.

He added that other matters such as the impact of climate change, economic volatility, and transnational crime will be among the topics of the regional bloc’s agenda.

“I will continue to champion our advocacies in promoting an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order, and for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law,” he said.

Upon arrival in KL, the President and the First Lady were welcomed by Dato’ Sri Azalina binti Othman Said, Minister of Law and Institutional Reform in the Prime Minister’s Department; Datuk Rozainor bin Ramli, Chief Government Ceremonial Officer; and Dato’ Yubazlan Yusof, Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the Philippine side, Philippine Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur Maria Angela Ponce, Vice Consul Kirstof Gail Ocampo and Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Michael Lugtu welcomed the Philippine delegation.

Turnover of chairmanship

In 2026, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, which Marcos considers as the country’s dedication to deepening regional cooperation, while advancing the welfare of Filipinos and the Southeast Asian community.

“The strength of ASEAN depends on the individual strength and prosperity of its members. Thus, we are strengthening our bureaucracy, making it more responsive, accountable, and transparent in serving the Filipino people,” he said.