The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have teamed up to strengthen coordination and integrity in the country’s public procurement and infrastructure development to combat anti-competitive behavior like bid-rigging and abuse of dominance.
The two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Oct. 23, 2025, formalizing cooperation for case referrals, joint investigations, policy coordination and capacity-building programs.
The agreement allows the PCC and DPWH to detect and address anti-competitive conduct in public works projects.
Under the Philippine Competition Act, entities found guilty of bid-rigging face stiff penalties of up to P110 million for a first offense and as much as P275 million for repeated violations.
The fine for a second offense ranges from P110 million to P275 million, and for the third and succeeding offenses, the fine increases to a range of P165 million to P275 million.
PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said the partnership represents a shared commitment to ensure public infrastructure is “not only strong and resilient, but also fair, transparent, and competitive.” He said the MOA is about “nation-building through fair competition,” ensuring roads and bridges are built with “integrity and trust.”
The MOA was signed by Aguinaldo and DPWH Secretary Vivencio Dizon.
Both agencies committed to timely notification of relevant concerns, proactive monitoring of market conduct and collaborative review of DPWH policies to ensure alignment with the Philippine Competition Act and the National Competition Policy.
The agreement also provides for the formation of joint task forces, access to procurement data, bid documents, and capacity-building activities for procurement officers and contractors.
This initiative supports the PCC’s broader strategy to embed competition safeguards in key sectors, affirming the role of competition policy in driving efficient public spending and market fairness.
