Leviste: Sec. Dizon can end DPWH kickbacks by cutting prices by 25%

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste urged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon to lower the price of DPWH projects by 25%, saying this could save P400 billion and end the systemic kickbacks in DPWH.

In a privilege speech delivered in Congress on Wednesday evening, Leviste said: “In the time of DPWH Secretary Babes Singson, he lowered prices by 10% before approving projects. Secretary Dizon has committed to do the same, but overpricing is now even worse. We call on him to lower prices by 25%, which we will support in Congress, so that our country can save P400 Billion. Let’s not just lower it by 10% and leave 15%, let’s lower it by a full 25% and end kickbacks in DPWH.”

Leviste explained that the system for kickbacks is driven by DPWH: “DPWH computes the prices, bids and implements projects, and even if a Congressmen is not involved, District Engineering Offices still rig bids, handpick contractors and collect kickbacks instead of the Congressman. That’s why the solution should start from within DPWH itself.”

“I commend Secretary Dizon for his steps to clean up DPWH. Corruption won’t be solved overnight, but if he wants to cut kickbacks immediately, he can lower prices by 25%. I pray that he will do the right thing for our country,” Leviste added.

Leviste’s privilege speech follows an open letter that he sent to Secretary Dizon earlier this week, calling for DPWH “to lower prices by 25% to prevent kickbacks and to be fully transparent on the 2026 DPWH budget before Congress votes on the 2026 budget this Friday, to send a clear message that real change has come to DPWH.”

Leviste also welcomed Congress’ approval of funding for 25,000 new classrooms in 2026, saying the savings from lowering the prices of DPWH projects could fund the remainder of the Department of Education’s estimated 165,000 classroom shortage.

“Let’s fund classrooms instead of kickbacks, and use the savings from overpriced projects to strengthen our education sector,” Leviste said.