Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has moved to bar contractors linked to anomalous flood control projects from government procurement. This action follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for the immediate blacklisting of erring firms.

According to Philippines News Agency, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced that the Procurement Service-DBM (PS-DBM) has already canceled the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) membership of nine companies associated with businesswoman Cezarah Rowena "Sarah" Discaya. The PS-DBM is also preparing to remove more firms, including SYMS Construction Trading and Wawao Builders, from the registry once the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issues official blacklisting orders.

The move is in line with the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act 12009), which mandates that once an implementing agency blacklists a contractor, its PhilGEPS membership must be revoked, effectively disqualifying the firm from all government bidding activities. PhilGEPS serves as the main channel for government procurement transactions.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has previously committed to disqualifying contractors involved in substandard or non-existent flood control projects worth millions of pesos. PS-DBM Executive Director Genmaries 'Gen' Entredicho-Caong stated that the agency remains committed to transparency and accountability.

In addition to these measures, Pangandaman met with Dizon to review the proposed 2026 DPWH budget as part of broader reforms aimed at restoring public trust in government spending.