MANILA — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to slash construction material costs by 50 percent to align with current market prices—an unprecedented move aimed at eliminating corruption and instituting long-term reforms in the agency.

Before departing for South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, President Marcos directed concerned government agencies to standardize and lower prices of construction materials, which Dizon said have long been a source of overpricing and corruption.

“Ayon sa utos ng Pangulo, ayusin na natin ang presyuhan dito sa DPWH. Deka-dekada na ito. Marami nang DPWH Secretary ang dumaan, marami nang budget ng DPWH ang dumaan, pero nandyan pa rin ang overpriced cost of materials,” Dizon said.

He added that the inflated prices have often been used as a mechanism for corruption. “Alam natin na hindi ‘yan ang presyo sa merkado. Mas mataas ang presyo dito, at dahil diyan, ‘yan ang isa sa pinanggagalingan ng pagnanakaw ng pera ng mga kababayan natin,” he said.

According to Dizon, the price reduction directive is one of three major reform initiatives ordered by President Marcos to ensure “real and lasting change” in the DPWH and other government agencies.

“Real change, lasting change. Ito ang ikatlong direktiba ng Pangulo sa atin. Kailangan natin repormahin ang DPWH at iba pang mga ahensya ayon na rin sa Pangulo. Gagawin na natin ito simula ngayon. This has never been done before to this extent,” Dizon emphasized.

The initial materials set for a 50-percent price reduction include cement, asphalt, steel, sand, gravel, and other aggregates. The DPWH will also lower costs of architectural finishes, such as roofing, classroom repainting, and hospital refurbishments.

Dizon said these reforms mark a decisive step toward transparency and efficiency in public infrastructure spending.