Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Monday that the DPWH will prioritize quality infrastructure projects in 2026, committing to faster implementation and fair pricing without compromising standards, as budget negotiations continue in Congress.
Dizon said the agency has demonstrated that speed and quality can go hand in hand, citing the completion of the Piggatan Detour Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, in just 60 days, the repair of the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City, and the rehabilitation of school buildings in Masbate damaged by Typhoon Opong.
He added that the DPWH intends to replicate its post-disaster rehabilitation model in the coming years, with a focus on bridges, roads, and hospitals.
Among the ongoing projects he mentioned were the repair of the Bukidnon-Davao Road and the strengthening of the San Juanico Bridge in Tacloban City.
“We want to replicate what we did during typhoons and earthquakes. That will be our mantra next year and beyond,” Dizon said. “It’s possible to have fair prices, speed, and quality.”
The DPWH is currently in talks with lawmakers over its proposed 2026 budget, seeking to restore reductions introduced by the Senate amid concerns over rising material costs and the allocation of funds for key infrastructure projects.
