A “greenlane” system for contractors is set to be established soonest by the private sector and government agencies to help restore confidence in government infrastructure projects and weed out illegitimate players.
Ferdinand “Perry” Ferrer, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), told reporters of the proposed greenlane during the organization’s 1st General Membership Meeting, where Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio Dizon served as guest speaker.
Tentatively called “Greenlane Contractors,” Ferrer said the proposal has been discussed with Dizon, who agreed to work toward implementing the initiative as soon as possible.
PCCI is also in discussions with the Board of Investments (BOI) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), both of which have established greenlane systems for major and high-impact projects.
However, Ferrer emphasized the urgency of launching the proposed “Greenlane Contractors,” noting that it took the BOI a year to establish its own greenlane. “We cannot wait a year. We want to set it up maybe three months,” said Ferrer, citing the impact on the country’s gross domestic product with the slowdown in fund release for infrastructure projects.
Under the proposal, the Greenlane Contractors program will be limited to accredited and legitimate contractors that meet criteria jointly agreed upon by the government and the private sector. The greenlane system will also ensure timely processing and prompt payment by the government, addressing the prolonged delays currently experienced by contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Ferrer said he is scheduled to meet with Dizon within the week for further discussions. He noted that the Secretary “was really disgusted by the flood control corruption.” The meeting aims to define parameters that will prevent “bad apples”—which Ferrer described as a minority—from participating in the Greenlane program.
PCCI will also engage with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to explore ways to strengthen contractor licensing. Ferrer stressed that large, reputable local contractors should be included in the Greenlane initiative.
He cited the DPWH’s “Integrity Chain” program as a significant step forward. In addition, the proposed use of blockchain technology for government projects is expected to enhance transparency—from project tracking to ensuring that awarded contracts are not overpriced.
Foreign-assisted projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are being considered as initial proof-of-concept projects for the integrity framework in the greenlane. Ferrer noted that these projects already adhere to high integrity standards, making them a strong starting point for rebuilding confidence.
The private sector is also set to sign a commitment on February 23 with the DPWH, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and a group of mayors to uphold integrity in government projects.
