MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Insurance Commission (IC) have joined forces to recover funds lost to failed and irregular infrastructure projects, following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the initiative responds to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to recover money stolen from the people.

“Pauulit-ulit sinasabi po ng ating mahal na Pangulo, ay kailangan po maibalik ang pera ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi po enough ‘yung makulong lang. Kailangan po ‘yung ninakaw na pera, na ginamit para pambili ng mga sports car, pang sugal sa casino, pambili ng mga mamahaling bahay, kailangan ‘yun ay maibalik. At ‘yan po ay pagtutulungan po natin ngayon ng Insurance Commission,” Dizon said.

Under the agreement, the DPWH and IC will coordinate to expedite the processing of insurance claims from “ghost” or substandard projects, which could reach up to 30 percent of a project’s total cost.

“Kung nakita naman nila talaga na ghost ‘yon at hindi tinupad ng contractor na ine-ensure nila ‘yung responsibilidad para gumawa ng tamang proyekto. Nanawagan kaming dalawa ni Commissioner Rey, na magkusa na. Huwag na nating paabutin pa sana sa korte ito. Pero kung magmatigas sila at labanan nila, wala tayong choice. Pasensyahan tayo,” Dizon warned insurance companies.

Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado said the agreement represents a firm step toward strengthening accountability in infrastructure implementation.

“This agreement is not just a formality, but a concrete institutional response to the very real and pressing need to address irregularities and potential abuses in our flood control and other infrastructure projects,” Regalado said. “By aligning our systems and sharing critical information, we aim to close the gaps that allow anomalies and corruption to persist.”

He added that as regulators and stewards of public trust, both agencies bear the responsibility to ensure that insurance instruments meant to safeguard government resources are not misused or rendered meaningless.