DPWH told: Reallocate savings to education sector

Senator Loren Legarda has urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct a comprehensive review of questionable infrastructure projects in the 2025 budget, arguing that potential savings from overpriced projects should be immediately redirected to urgently needed social infrastructure, especially education.

During a Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the DPWH’s proposed 2025 budget, Legarda raised concerns that projects amounting to nearly P1 trillion may still reflect outdated or inflated cost estimates.

“Another source of savings, if I may, would be questionable 2025 projects,” Legarda said. “I believe there is still 1 trillion worth in projects being implemented. So what do you do with those already being implemented but based on the cost of materials, you know they are overpriced? We must renegotiate, and the price should be lowered even with an existing contract because it is possible; there are provisions in the New Government Procurement Act. We should not continue to be fooled by those who overprice.”