President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed several government agencies to reduce project costs for public infrastructure initiatives — including agricultural roads, hospitals, classrooms, and irrigation systems — as part of his administration’s broader campaign to eliminate corruption in government.
Following his earlier instruction to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement cost-cutting measures, the President extended the same order to the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Marcos directed these agencies to immediately adopt the same pricing system used by the DPWH.
“So, alongside our efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ regional foothold and attract investments, we continue to cleanse our bureaucracy of corruption, because only a transparent government can build a fair economy,” the President said.
He added, “In this light, the DepEd, DA, DILG, DOH, DOTr, NIA, and all other relevant agencies shall immediately follow the same pricing system as that of the DPWH.”
According to Marcos, the DPWH’s revised project costs have been aligned with actual market prices and reduced by as much as 50%.
“However, by reducing the project cost, the quality of the infrastructure projects will not be compromised,” he assured.
“So, let me be clear: The quality of what we build will not be compromised. The only thing weakened will be corruption. This is the accountability that our citizens deserve,” he added.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency, recalling a promise made on October 25, before departing for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Malaysia.
“Last October 25, this Administration renewed a promise that guides all our actions: To guard every peso entrusted to us, and to return it to our people in the form of progress they can see and that they can feel. When funds are protected and spent with discipline, prices ease, opportunities grow, and communities thrive,” he said.
Before leaving for Malaysia, Marcos had also directed the DPWH to cut construction material costs by up to 50%, with expected savings of ₱30-₱45 billion, which would be redirected to key sectors such as healthcare, education, and food security.
“The savings we secure will go where they matter most: To programs that uplift families, support livelihoods, and strengthen communities. Because when our people grow in capability and confidence, the nation grows with them,” Marcos said.
“[From] a government that honors public trust, a nation that stands firm on integrity, this is our promise: A real change for every Filipino today and for generations to come,” he concluded.