The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will keep in place tighter documentation standards for all infrastructure projects, after the Senate removed 295 proposed projects valued at P8.8 billion from the 2027 national budget because of incomplete supporting papers.
Public Works Secretary Banoy Lopez confirmed the department will carry forward reforms started by former secretary Vince Dizon, requiring full submission of all necessary documents before any project can be considered for inclusion in the 2027 National Expenditure Program.
The budget adjustments came after Dizon reported to the Senate that these 295 projects, put forward by DPWH district engineering offices, lacked proper documentation, leading lawmakers to recommend their exclusion from the proposed spending plan.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DPWH to make certain that every infrastructure project submitted for the 2027 budget is backed by complete and proper paperwork.
Lopez explained that project proponents now need to provide an Approved Program of Work, verified geo-tagged photos, proof of compliance with Budget Preparation 2027 guidelines, a Certificate of Implementability, along with master plans, feasibility studies, and relevant endorsements from development councils or Certificates of Non-Objection.
“President Marcos has given us a clear, strict order: no project with incomplete documents will move forward. This way, we can make sure every peso delivers real, visible benefits for our people,” Lopez said. He also noted that Dizon had stressed that transparency in budget submissions is key to ensuring public funds are used properly and projects are carried out as intended.
This policy shift is meant not just to meet budgetary requirements, but to strengthen accountability, prevent misallocation of funds, and give the public greater confidence that every infrastructure project approved serves its intended purpose.
