Dizon orders pause on bidding of locally-funded DPWH projects

Metro Manila, Philippines - Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said he will hit the brakes on the bidding of all locally-funded projects to address the flood control scandal hounding his agency.

In a press briefing after the turnover of the Transportation Department leadership on Wednesday, Sept. 3, Dizon announced that the two-week suspension will allow the DPWH to place safeguards in the bidding process.

The directive covers all infrastructure projects under the agency, including flood control initiatives.

“The president does not want anymore money (from) the DPWH thrown sa ilog, sabi niya nga (to the river, as he said),” Dizon said.

“Iyong na-bid na, na-award na, kailangan iyon babantayan natin at ‘di tayo papayag na ghost, ‘di tayo papayag na substandard, babantayan natin lahat ‘yan pero ‘yung pinapa-bid pa lang, kailangan doon pa lang sa bidding, nakabantay na tayo,” he added.

[Translation: The one that's already been bid out, already awarded — we need to monitor that and we won’t allow any ghost projects, we won’t allow anything substandard. We’ll watch over all of that. But even those that are still up for bidding, we need to already be keeping an eye on things right at the bidding stage.]

Dizon noted that projects assisted by other countries will continue, as he expressed trust and confidence on foreign funders.

The secretary said he will also meet with former public works secretaries for consultation.

Dizon on Tuesday, Sept. 2, said the flood control mess did not solely begin in the current administration – with some failed projects originating from previous leaderships.

“I need all the inputs from the people who have sat in this chair. I need to listen to everyone,” he said.

Dizon took the helm of the DPWH on Sept. 1, replacing Manuel Bonoan who quit his post amid the controversy.