November 3, 2025 | 12:22pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday, November 3, announced reduced costs for several building materials after some were found to have been inflated by as much as 75%.
Several former DPWH officials had admitted to inflating material prices as part of a kickback scheme. Following these revelations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the reduction of construction material prices in a bid to curb corruption in government infrastructure projects.
In a press conference, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced the new prices of several construction materials and compared them with their previous rates.
Asphalt and hot mix showed the largest price discrepancies. In the MIMAROPA region, for instance, prices reached as high as P23,659 per metric ton. The DPWH has since reduced the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD) to P5,937, indicating that the previous cost was inflated by nearly 75%.
On average, the cost of asphalt and hot mix was reduced by 50%, from P13,863 per metric ton to P6,961.
Below are the DPWH’s average reduced costs for various construction materials:
Dizon added that the review and adjustment of project costs, including those for classrooms and roads, are still underway. He said materials used for finishing works, such as paint, will also be evaluated and adjusted accordingly.
With the reduction in material costs, Dizon said the savings from previously inflated prices could reach as much as P60 billion.
He added that basing construction material procurement on market-level prices is the “single biggest reform” within the DPWH, emphasizing that these prices will remain fixed regardless of changes in administration. The new pricing order will take effect for projects starting in 2025, he said.
“If the private sector can build a road at those prices, why cannot the government do the same? There is no reason not to. No other reason except for corruption. That is the only reason why that has been done,” Dizon said.
The DPWH’s budget has already received initial approval from both chambers of Congress, though deliberations are still ongoing.
Dizon said the revised material price list has been submitted to legislators, who will determine how it may affect the DPWH’s budget.