Pasig Mayor Vico sotto Calls for Sweeping DPWH Reforms Amid Corruption Concerns
PASIG CITY, Philippines – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is pushing for significantโข reformsโข within โthe Department of โคPublic Works and Highways (DPWH) to combat corruption โin infrastructure projects nationwide. Sotto’s call comes โfollowing investigations revealing alleged widespread irregularities, including evidence presented toโ 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 fullโ public disclosure of crucial DPWH documents – such as Programs of Work (POWs), Bill of Quantitiesโฃ (boqs), and โDetailed Unit Price Analysesโ (DUPAs) – strengthening โcoordination between the DPWH and local government units (LGUs), improving project monitoring, and reevaluating the โฃaccreditationโข process for contractors through the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). Sotto highlighted the difficulty in uncovering the truthโค due to the influenceโ ofโค powerful groups involved in the system.
Sotto revealed that, prior to his election, he frequently discussed with young โฃpeople the prevalence of a 20-percent “SOP”โ (Standard Operating Procedure,โข frequently enough used as a euphemism for kickbacks) in infrastructure projects, representing billionsโค 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 โthe Houseโค investigation – images โฃof money – as indicativeโ of a broader problem potentially extending beyond Bulacan. A POW represents the total estimated project cost, aโข BOQ details materials, labor, and associated costs, and DUPAs provide detailed cost breakdowns for construction materials. Sotto believes increased transparency โin these areas is crucial to curbing corruption and ensuring public fundsโ are used effectively.
