Philippines public works chief pledges to sustain DPWH reforms amid cabinet reshuffle

Traders Union
All News
Business & Wealth
Companies
DPWH reforms amid reshuffle

Highlights

DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan Lopez commits to institutionalize transparency and accountability reforms, emphasizing sustainable change beyond leadership transitions.
Congress is deliberating a P300.96 billion budget for the Department of Transportation in 2027, up 118% from the P137.85 billion allocation for 2026, with rail transport's share rising 256.54%.
Both DPWH and Transportation leaders stress close inter-agency coordination and minimal personnel changes to prevent project disruption amid leadership reshuffle.

Reform agenda after the handover

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, Lopez takes charge of the Department of Public Works and Highways after swapping Cabinet posts with Dizon, and says he wants to institutionalize reforms so they endure regardless of who leads the department or sits in Malacañang.

At his first briefing after the transition, Lopez says lasting change at the DPWH depends on both systems change and cultural change. He says the department needs to preserve processes introduced under Dizon while also changing how officials approach their responsibilities, particularly on transparency, accountability and employee promotions.

Lopez says restoring public trust requires participation across government and must cover the full project cycle, from budget preparation and procurement to project implementation. He adds that the reforms are already in place, but consistent compliance by DPWH personnel remains essential to making them work every day.

Transport budget pressure and project coordination

Dizon, who returns to the Transportation department, says President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants him back at the agency to disrupt existing processes and make life easier for commuters. He says funding shortages and implementation delays continue to weigh on major transport infrastructure projects, while right-of-way acquisition remains a longstanding obstacle.

The push to accelerate delivery comes as Congress deliberates on the proposed 2027 national budget. The National Expenditure Program sets aside P300.96 billion for the Department of Transportation, more than double the P137.85 billion provided under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, with rail transport accounting for much of the increase through a proposed P197.30 billion allocation, up 256.54% from P55.34 billion.

Dizon says he hopes the 2027 target for partial operations of MRT-7 continues under the new leadership, although the timetable and project details still require confirmation. Lopez says the Transportation and Public Works departments need close coordination because their responsibilities overlap in roads, bridges and public transport, while both officials say they expect limited personnel changes to avoid disrupting ongoing projects.

In our earlier article on planned Philippine sovereign bond reforms and the country’s bid for index inclusion in early 2027, we explained how market-modernization steps can improve liquidity and broaden the investor base, but won’t automatically translate into stronger investment and productivity. We also noted that the real payoff depends on fiscal credibility and, crucially, on how effectively government uses any savings—through well-selected, timely, transparent infrastructure and other productivity-enhancing spending—rather than allowing delays, weak planning, or corruption to erode the gains.

This material may contain third-party opinions, none of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer. While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners.