The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is pivoting toward a “local-first” strategy, strengthening its collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure that national infrastructure funds are used efficiently and to address the specific needs of communities.
During a joint inspection of infrastructure projects and Oplan Kontra Baha (Flood Control) sites in Naga City, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon emphasized that local chief executives are the department’s most vital allies in identifying bottlenecks and high-impact project areas.
The shift in strategy follows a direct mandate from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whose background as a former provincial governor heavily influences the administration’s approach to decentralized development.
“We really need to work with the mayors because they are the ones on the ground who know exactly where the problems lie,” said Secretary Dizon. “The President ordered us to engage directly with local leadership. Having been a governor himself, PBBM understands that the best solutions are often those informed by local insight.”
A primary goal of this nationwide roadshow is to ensure that the DPWH budget—often one of the largest allocations in the national budget—directly benefits the grassroots level. By aligning DPWH’s technical capabilities with the LGUs’ spatial knowledge, the department aims to:
Eliminate Redundant Projects: Ensuring national and local projects do not overlap.
Enhance Flood Resilience: Prioritizing “Oplan Kontra Baha” sites to mitigate the effects of climate change in vulnerable zones like the Bicol Region.
Boost Accountability: Creating a feedback loop where mayors can report stalled projects or funding issues directly to the Secretary’s office.
The inspection in Naga City was conducted alongside Mayor Leni Robredo, focusing on critical drainage systems and transport links. The visit highlights a bipartisan commitment to infrastructure, focusing on engineering solutions and public safety over political lines.
The DPWH confirmed that several key bypass roads and flood mitigation dikes in the region are being fast-tracked to meet completion deadlines before the peak of the rainy season.
