Pasig Mayor Vico sotto Calls for Sweeping DPWH Reforms Amid Corruption Concerns
PASIG CITY, Philippines – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is pushing for significant reforms within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to combat corruption in infrastructure projects nationwide. Sotto’s call comes following investigations revealing alleged widespread irregularities, including evidence presented to the House of Representatives concerning DPWH engineers in Bulacan.The reforms advocated by Sotto aim to increase transparency and accountability in the bidding and implementation of public works projects. These include halting widespread subcontracting, mandating full public disclosure of crucial DPWH documents – such as Programs of Work (POWs), Bill of Quantities (boqs), and Detailed Unit Price Analyses (DUPAs) – strengthening coordination between the DPWH and local government units (LGUs), improving project monitoring, and reevaluating the accreditation process for contractors through the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). Sotto highlighted the difficulty in uncovering the truth due to the influence of powerful groups involved in the system.
Sotto revealed that, prior to his election, he frequently discussed with young people the prevalence of a 20-percent “SOP” (Standard Operating Procedure, frequently enough used as a euphemism for kickbacks) in infrastructure projects, representing billions of pesos in lost funds. He stated, “Now, we know.We have seen it. The people are waking up.”
The mayor emphasized the importance of public awareness and citizen participation in demanding better governance. He pointed to photographic evidence presented during the House investigation – images of money – as indicative of a broader problem potentially extending beyond Bulacan. A POW represents the total estimated project cost, a BOQ details materials, labor, and associated costs, and DUPAs provide detailed cost breakdowns for construction materials. Sotto believes increased transparency in these areas is crucial to curbing corruption and ensuring public funds are used effectively.
