Bill seeking to reorganize DPWH aims for stronger transparency, accountability- Senator Tito Sotto

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III has filed Senate Bill No. 1835, titled An Act Reorganizing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Rationalizing the Powers and Functions of the Central, Regional, and District Offices, aimed at strengthening transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public infrastructure governance.

Sotto emphasized the critical role of public infrastructure in nation-building, citing its importance in generating employment and providing essential services such as safe roads, bridges, flood control systems, and other key public works.

“As one of the departments receiving the largest budget allocations, Filipinos rightfully expect that every peso entrusted to the DPWH translates into safe, resilient, and responsive infrastructure,” Sotto said.

The measure revisits the DPWH’s mandate, powers, organizational structure, and operational framework, including the functions of its undersecretaries and assistant secretaries.

“It is imperative to revisit the organization of DPWH to identify where the gaps are and where opportunities for corruption may lie,” he said.

“Through a rationalization of this department and its regional and district offices, we can ensure that corruption will no longer seep into its walls,” he added.

Under the bill, the Department will be reorganized around the key infrastructure projects it oversees to decentralize project preparation and implementation and reduce opportunities for irregularities and delays.

A new Infrastructure Maintenance Services Unit will be created to inspect, monitor, and evaluate completed projects, and to maintain a centralized, publicly accessible infrastructure database, allowing citizens to track DPWH projects.

Regional offices will take on key functions previously handled at the district level, including project identification and bidding processes, while district offices will focus on supervision, monitoring, and recommendations to strengthen on-the-ground oversight.

An Infrastructure Inspectorate Team will also be established, ensuring no disbursement of payments are made without inspection. Inspections will be streamed live on official channels for added transparency.

“This measure is about restoring public trust by rationalizing functions, strengthening monitoring mechanisms, and institutionalizing transparency to ensure that the people’s taxes are spent efficiently, honestly, and for the public good,” Sotto said.

Senate Bill No. 1835 stems from findings of the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings and is expected to undergo committee deliberations in the coming weeks.