Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday, September 3, ordered a nationwide suspension of bidding for all locally funded infrastructure projects, as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) faces mounting allegations over ghost flood control projects.
“Kailangan muna nating i-review at aralin [ang mga projects] based on the President’s directive to clean the house,” Dizon said in a press conference after formally turning over the leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to Giovanni Lopez.
He added that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has made his position clear: “Ayaw niyang matapon na naman sa ilog ang mga pera at mga proyekto ng taong bayan.”
The suspension covers all bidding activities for DPWH infrastructure projects—including roads and flood control—across its national, regional, and district offices.
Dizon said a DPWH review team has been formed and tasked to install new safeguards in the bidding process. Details of these measures are expected to be announced on Monday, September 8, or Tuesday, September 9.
He clarified, however, that bidding for foreign-funded projects will continue since these are closely monitored by foreign advisers and development partners.
Dizon’s tenure as Transportation Secretary, which began in February 2025, was cut short after Marcos appointed him to head the DPWH. He replaced Manuel Bonoan, who resigned on August 31 amid controversies surrounding questionable flood control projects.