The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced a new and aggressive campaign to crack down on fraudulent contractors, a move that includes blacklisting and the potential for perpetual license revocation. The directive, announced by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, is in direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to eliminate irregularities and promote transparency in public works projects.
Secretary Dizon stated the agency will move immediately to blacklist contractors found to violate their contracts, preventing them from bidding on future government projects. Beyond this immediate action, the DPWH is also studying the possibility of permanently revoking the licenses of these erring contractors.
“Our reforms must go beyond simple blacklisting,” Secretary Dizon said. “To truly clean up our public works, we need to thoroughly review and revamp the processes within the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).”
The DPWH Secretary noted that he will coordinate with Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque to discuss the necessary reforms, as PCAB operates under the Department of Trade and Industry. While the DPWH has the authority to blacklist and disqualify contractors, license revocation requires a collaborative effort with relevant government agencies.
This initiative aligns with President Marcos Jr.’s broader anti-corruption agenda, which includes the announced plan to form an independent commission tasked with investigating and recommending actions on irregularities, particularly within the DPWH.
