DPWH to Implement ‘Green Lane’ for Contractors, Tackling Corruption and Project Delays

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is moving forward with plans to establish a “green lane” system for contractors, aiming to expedite the approval process for critical infrastructure projects and address longstanding issues of corruption. The initiative, announced at a meeting with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Monday, February 16, 2026, seeks to streamline procedures and rebuild trust in government infrastructure projects.

Modeled After the BOI’s Green Lane Program

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted the success of the Board of Investments (BOI)’s existing Green Lane program, which fast-tracks approvals for strategic and high-impact investments. “Under the BOI’s agreements, they have green lanes for investors and companies who qualify based on a certain criteria,” Dizon said. “There’s no reason why we can’t do that in the DPWH.” The Manila Times

PCCI Support and Criteria Development

The PCCI, the country’s largest business organization, has pledged its support in establishing the DPWH’s green lane system. PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer stated the group would collaborate on defining criteria for contractor eligibility. “We’re gonna do the green lane for legit contractors with the DPWH,” Ferrer said. Inquirer.net

Ferrer emphasized the importance of resuming infrastructure projects, noting that their suspension had negatively impacted the country’s GDP. Discussions also focused on attracting reputable construction firms, such as Megawide Construction Corp. And EEI Corp., back into government projects by simplifying the procurement process and payment procedures. Manila Bulletin

Addressing Corruption and Enhancing Transparency

The green lane initiative is also intended to combat corruption, which has historically plagued government infrastructure projects. The PCCI will perform with the BOI and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to expedite the DPWH’s green lane implementation, aiming for a launch within three months. Inquirer.net

To ensure only credible contractors participate, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) will be involved. The DPWH recently launched the Integrity Chain Portal, utilizing blockchain technology to create a traceable and auditable record of projects from procurement to completion. Inquirer.net

Multi-Sector Collaboration

A memorandum of cooperation is scheduled to be signed on February 23, 2026, between the PCCI, DPWH, Mayors for Good Governance, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. This partnership aims to foster collaboration between the private sector and the government to restore confidence among foreign investors. Inquirer.net

Further Discussions Planned

A meeting is also planned for March 5, 2026, with Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to discuss private sector involvement in policy formulation and project approvals, further enhancing accountability. Inquirer.net