The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is pushing for a “green lane” system for public works contractors, aiming to speed up infrastructure delivery and rebuild confidence in government spending.
Speaking on the sidelines of PCCI’s General Membership Meeting in Makati City, PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer said the proposal mirrors the expedited processing model of the Board of Investments (BOI), which cuts red tape for foreign investors through tight inter-agency coordination.
“When we were looking for a differentiating factor to ease the entry of foreign investors, the BOI created a green lane—very quick entry and setup in the Philippines,” Ferrer said, describing it as a one-stop shop for approvals.
Now, the private sector wants the same playbook applied to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The goal is to restart stalled infrastructure projects, accelerate bidding and payments, and keep legitimate contractors moving.
“When projects stopped, GDP went down,” Ferrer said, underscoring the macroeconomic stakes.
Under the proposal, accredited “green lane contractors” would benefit from streamlined procurement, faster document processing, and prompt payments. In parallel, questionable firms would be screened out through clearer eligibility standards.
The initiative includes a blockchain-based “integrity chain” portal to bolster credibility, with PCCI acting as one of the validators. It is a tech-driven transparency layer aimed at deterring corruption and leakage.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon indicated support to the idea, outlining reforms inside DPWH, from tighter budget planning to stronger accountability systems and cost controls on construction materials.
The pitch aims to cut friction for compliant players, raise barriers for bad actors, and get infrastructure spending translating into visible growth. If executed well, the green lane could become more than a bureaucratic shortcut—it could be a confidence signal to investors watching whether public works can finally move at private-sector speed.
