Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Darylle Sarmiento

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176411845482920250825-dpwh-building-JC0843.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — As the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget comes under intense scrutiny in the Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday zeroed in on two of the agency’s key programs:</p><p>1. Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG)</p><p>2. Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP)</p><p>During the deliberations, Lacson hinted that these programs may result in double appropriations for similar projects.</p><p>He pointed out as an example that the funds for the Rehabilitation of the Road in Umingan, Pangasinan (Phases 1, 2, and 3), which fall under two separate programs, SIPAG and BIP, could have been pocketed by corrupt officials if Secretary Vince Dizon had not entered the agency.</p><p>Lacson asked, “Kung hindi napasok si Sec. Dizon baka na-i bulsa ito kasi dalawang appropriations. Ganun po ba yun?”</p><p>DPWH budget sponsor Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian replied: “Mataas yung possibility na ganun po pwede mangyari.”</p><p>He questioned what else apart from confusing the public these programs were designed for. </p><p>Lacson pressed: “Ang tanong ko Mr. Chairman, aside from to confuse, ano pa ibang reason? Wala tayo maisip?”</p><p>Gatchalian replied: “To corrupt, siguro?”</p><p>Lacson remarked that the programs could perhaps be collapsed into one, as they appear designed merely to confuse. </p><p>“Ano plano natin sa 2026? I-collapse nalang natin ito? Kasi, confusing, eh. Maybe this is really designed to confuse.&quot;</p><p>The budget sponsor responded that the agency is currently working on fixing and consolidating the said programs into a single framework.</p><p>DPWH is currently correcting its programs and allocations to effectively address misaligned initiatives and better fulfill its mandate.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;LAGAY&#x27; SYSTEM</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Senator JV Ejercito meanwhile raised concerns from some sectors about the hesitation to participate in bidding due to the new costings implemented by the DPWH.</p><p>According to some contractors, the new costings would result in very little profit.</p><p>“Maraming nagsasabi natatakot na mag bid yung iba because of the new costings parang wala na raw kikitain.”</p><p>Gatchalian clarified that the main issue is not with the new costings, but rather with the alleged practice of giving “lagay” or “SOP” to some officials.</p><p>“Hindi po problema yung presyo. Ang problema po yung lagay, yung SOP, yun po ang nakakakain po ng kita ng mga contractor.” explained Gatchalian</p><p>Gatchalian emphasized that legitimate government contractors could still have a reasonable profit margin of 5 to 10 percent.</p><p>However, if the demanded cuts by corrupt politicians reach 5 percent, 10 percent, or even up to 20 percent, that is where the real problem arises.</p><p>Ejercito also recalled that former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and his group allegedly demanded “lagay” or “SOP” reaching up to 25 percent.</p><p>Gatchalian said corruption must be stopped.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTz8aDj5HNQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sl1daHU6e7M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The budget sponsor in the Senate said the DPWH is currently working on fixing and consolidating the said programs into a single framework.</p>

The budget sponsor in the Senate said the DPWH is currently working on fixing and consolidating the said programs into a single framework.

'Designed to confuse': Lacson flags DPWH programs implicated in 'double appropriations'

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'Designed to confuse': Lacson flags DPWH programs implicated in 'double appropriations'

Darylle Sarmiento,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 26, 2025 08:56 AM PHT

Read More:

Senate

SIPAG

BIP

DPWH

Corruption

Duplication

SOP

lagay

contractors

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