Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is under stringent oversight concerning its infrastructure projects, following a year-old controversy surrounding flood control measures.

According to Philippines News Agency, during his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos emphasized that the monitoring of DPWH projects is not solely a government effort but involves private sector groups as well. "Each project and the allocated funds are closely monitored in the Transparency Portal, Integrity Chain, and partner Civil Society Organizations," Marcos stated.

The President highlighted ongoing reforms within the DPWH, noting the introduction of new graduates into the department and the establishment of transparent and dependable job orders and service contracts. He stressed that beyond flood control projects, all initiatives are being thoroughly reviewed to ensure their necessity and soundness, covering aspects from planning and pricing to implementation. To prevent overpricing, materials are being procured at market rates.

In his July 2025 SONA, Marcos had previously exposed corruption in flood-control projects involving politicians, government officials, and private individuals. The DPWH Transparency Portal serves as a platform for citizens to track government infrastructure projects, public budgets, and procurement documents. Meanwhile, the Integrity Chain is a blockchain-based transparency and audit system developed through a collaboration between the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the DPWH, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.