Public Works chief keeps high approval thresholds for infrastructure funds, diverging from anti-corruption panel recommendations
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has retained extensive financial authority for regional directors and district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), despite recommendations from an independent government commission to tighten controls following investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Under Department Order No. 74, signed on June 10, Dizon revised the agency’s approval structure for infrastructure spending while preserving significant powers for field officials in handling government funds and project-related disbursements.
The directive authorizes DPWH Undersecretary for Support Services Rio Espiritu to approve Notices of Transfer of Allocation (NTA) without monetary limitations.
An NTA serves as a key financial instrument that allows the transfer of budget allocations from the agency’s central office to regional and operational units nationwide.
The order likewise empowers Assistant Secretary Genevieve Cuaresma and the DPWH Financial Service Director to endorse NTA approvals regardless of amount.
Department Order 74 replaces Department Order 104 issued in 2021 while preserving provisions not affected by the new policy.
The revised approval matrix outlines varying spending ceilings depending on the nature of the transaction.
For contractor payments, regional directors may approve disbursements of up to P300 million, while district engineers are authorized to clear payments reaching P100 million.
For land acquisition and property-related transactions, regional directors are granted unlimited approval authority, while district engineers may approve expenditures of up to P10 million.
The policy also provides broad authority over maintenance and operating expenses, with regional directors and district engineers facing no monetary limits for such transactions.
Meanwhile, procurement of goods allows undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to approve expenditures of up to P100 million, while regional directors and district engineers are likewise given unrestricted approval powers.
The move departs from recommendations made by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which earlier called for a substantial reduction in the approval authority of regional and district engineering offices.
The commission’s recommendation stemmed from its continuing review of alleged anomalies involving flood control projects and concerns over corruption risks within the DPWH.
In a previous communication to the department, the ICI proposed reducing procurement authority at regional and district levels by at least half, arguing that lower thresholds would strengthen oversight and accountability.
The commission specifically suggested reducing regional office procurement authority from P400 million to P200 million and district engineering office authority from P150 million to at least P75 million.
Questions surrounding the spending authority of regional directors and district engineers were also raised during hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Lawmakers had expressed concern that large approval thresholds could weaken safeguards against misuse of public funds.
Dizon had previously acknowledged the concerns raised by both senators and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
In a separate development, the DPWH pledged support for the modernization of major roads in Naga City, in partnership with the local government.
Secretary Vince Dizon joined Mayor Leni Robredo in inspecting the newly upgraded M.T. Villanueva Avenue over the weekend.
The project features wider sidewalks, designated bicycle lanes, public transport stops, underground utility lines, and other pedestrian-oriented improvements aimed at enhancing road safety and commuter convenience.
DPWH officials said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote more accessible, sustainable, and people-centered urban infrastructure.
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