Tito Sotto's bill seeks DPWH overhaul amid corruption woes

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has filed a bill seeking to reorganize the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid reported corruption involving public infrastructure projects.

Sotto filed Senate Bill No. 1835, or the “Infrastructure Governance Act,” which aims to revisit the department’s mandate, powers, organizational structure, and operational framework.

“Thus, it is imperative to revisit the organization of the DPWH to identify where the gaps are and where opportunities for corruption lie,” the explanatory note read.

“Through a rationalization of the department and its regional and district offices, we can ensure that corruption will no longer seep within its walls," it added.

The measure seeks to attain efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery through a "mandate-focused" organization.

Under Sotto's bill, the Department Proper will consist of the Office of the Secretary, Infrastructure Services Units, and Administrative Services Units, to be headed by the necessary undersecretaries and assistant secretaries for the law’s implementation.

The DPWH will also have Infrastructure Services Units composed of four offices, each to be headed by an undersecretary: the National Highways Operations Unit; the Flood Control and Water Resources Development System Unit; the Other Public Works Unit; and the Infrastructure Maintenance Services Unit.

The Infrastructure Maintenance Services Unit will be tasked with monitoring and maintaining all public works implemented by the department, as well as managing the public infrastructure database, according to the bill.

The proposed law also provides that DPWH regional offices will oversee highways, flood control and water resources development systems, and other public works within their respective jurisdictions.

In addition, the measure seeks to establish an Infrastructure Inspectorate Team within the DPWH.

No disbursement of payment—whether progress billing or final payment—will be allowed without a favorable report from the inspectorate team.

“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 in a statement.—MCG, GMA Integrated News