(Manila, 30th) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos announced that the government will comprehensively reduce the costs of public construction projects to eliminate inflated pricing and prevent corruption, reallocating the savings to education, healthcare, and food security sectors.
Speaking before departing for Gyeongju, South Korea, to attend the 32nd APEC Leaders' Meeting on Thursday, Marcos stated that the government will cut the cost of public construction projects for the 2026 fiscal year, including farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, schools, and hospitals, to ensure that every peso of public funds is used to benefit the people.
He said: “On one hand, we are committed to strengthening the Philippines’ investment appeal in the region. On the other hand, we are purifying the bureaucracy, because only a clean and transparent government can build a fair economy.”
Prior to attending the 47th ASEAN Summit, Marcos had already instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to reduce construction material costs by up to 50%, an initiative expected to save at least 30 to 45 billion pesos. These funds will be redistributed to critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and food.
Marcos emphasized that the DPWH has recalibrated project costs to align with actual market prices and firmly asserted that “what we are cutting is corruption, not the quality of the projects.”
“This approach will not be limited to the Department of Public Works and Highways but will become a new standard for the entire government. Starting in 2026, the costs of farm-to-market roads, irrigation, classrooms, and hospital projects must all be reduced.”
He pointed out that departments including the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, and the National Irrigation Administration must all implement the same pricing regime as the DPWH.
“The funds we save will be invested where they make the most meaningful difference—helping families, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening communities.” He added: “Only a government that protects public trust can bring about real change and benefit generations of Filipinos.”
He said: “On one hand, we are committed to strengthening the Philippines’ investment appeal in the region. On the other hand, we are purifying the bureaucracy, because only a clean and transparent government can build a fair economy.”
Prior to attending the 47th ASEAN Summit, Marcos had already instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to reduce construction material costs by up to 50%, an initiative expected to save at least 30 to 45 billion pesos. These funds will be redistributed to critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and food.
Marcos emphasized that the DPWH has recalibrated project costs to align with actual market prices and firmly asserted that “what we are cutting is corruption, not the quality of the projects.”
“This approach will not be limited to the Department of Public Works and Highways but will become a new standard for the entire government. Starting in 2026, the costs of farm-to-market roads, irrigation, classrooms, and hospital projects must all be reduced.”
He pointed out that departments including the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, and the National Irrigation Administration must all implement the same pricing regime as the DPWH.
“The funds we save will be invested where they make the most meaningful difference—helping families, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening communities.” He added: “Only a government that protects public trust can bring about real change and benefit generations of Filipinos.”