You can access official DPWH project listings, explore the main types of projects the department manages, uncover the controversies tied to fund misuse, and see why citizen awareness and accountability matter.
Roads, bridges, and flood control systems are not just engineering projects—they are lifelines that shape how Filipinos move, trade, and stay safe during disasters.
A newly built road can cut travel time by hours and open opportunities for businesses. A strong bridge can connect remote communities to essential services.
A reliable flood control system can protect entire towns during typhoons. Yet, alongside these benefits, recent controversies over ghost projects, collapsed structures, and allegations of kickbacks remind us that progress without accountability comes at a heavy cost.
How to Find DPWH Projects
The Official DPWH Website
The DPWH website (dpwh.gov.ph) serves as the primary source for project information. You’ll find several important sections there:
- Projects Section – Lists infrastructure works by year, such as “2016 and above projects,” which cover the latest.
- Annual Infrastructure Program (AIP) – Breaks down yearly projects by region and budget. This lets you see exactly what’s planned in your area.
- Project Status Page – Shares progress updates on major projects, with details on contractors, funding, and completion percentage.
- GIS Web Applications – Offers interactive maps where you can click on roads and bridges to view technical details.
- PPP Section – Highlights public-private partnership projects like toll roads and expressways.
The website is reliable, but navigation can feel overwhelming. Look under “Projects” or “Transparency” and expect to click through several links to reach the details you need.
FOI Requests
When project data isn’t available online, you can submit a request through the Freedom of Information (FOI) portal (foi.gov.ph). This allows you to obtain official lists of ongoing or completed projects in a specific district. It may take days or weeks to receive a response, but the information comes straight from the source.
DBM and Budget Documents
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) publishes allocations for DPWH projects in its General Appropriations Act and People’s Budget. These documents often show projects grouped by type and region, making them useful for tracing where public funds go.
PPP Center Database
Large-scale infrastructure such as expressways often falls under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. The PPP Center’s Projects Database lets you filter projects by implementing agency, including DPWH, to view project costs, status, and descriptions.
PhilGEPS Procurement Portal
The Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) lists DPWH projects open for bidding. This portal doesn’t cover completed works but helps you see what projects are about to start.
What Kinds of Projects Does DPWH Handle?
DPWH projects usually fall into five categories:
- Roads and Highways – Building new roads, widening existing ones, and constructing bypasses.
- Bridges – Replacing old bridges or adding new ones to improve connectivity.
- Flood Control and Drainage – Installing dikes, canals, seawalls, and pumping stations to protect flood-prone communities.
- Public Buildings – Constructing schools, evacuation centers, and other essential facilities.
- Maintenance – Resurfacing roads, repairing bridges, and keeping public structures safe.
These works directly affect how Filipinos move, work, and stay safe during disasters.
Recent Controversies: Misuse of DPWH Funds
Tracking projects is not just about seeing what’s being built—it’s about checking whether public money is used honestly. In recent years, DPWH projects have come under heavy scrutiny for alleged corruption.
Ghost Flood Control Projects
Investigations revealed flood control projects in Bulacan listed as complete but never built. These so-called ghost projects consumed millions of pesos while leaving communities unprotected.
Contractor Monopolies and Kickbacks
Senators exposed that a small circle of contractors dominated flood control budgets. Reports claimed 25–60% of funds went to kickbacks, leaving little for actual construction. Substandard results followed, including collapsed flood control structures and unsafe bridges.
Project Failures
A P100 million flood control project in Lucena City collapsed soon after completion. Similarly, the P1.2 billion Cabagan–Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela failed due to suspected design or material flaws, putting lives at risk.
Bribery Scandals
In Batangas, a DPWH district engineer allegedly attempted to bribe a congressman to stop a corruption inquiry into flood control works. The case led to suspensions and arrests, showing how deeply bribery affects infrastructure.
COA Audits
The Commission on Audit (COA) launched a fraud audit of flood control projects from 2022 to 2025, ordering on-site inspections, geo-tagging, and financial cross-checks. A separate performance audit of the Flood Management Masterplan also began.
Presidential Action
In 2025, President Marcos Jr. ordered:
- the release of all flood control projects over the last three years,
- directed lifestyle checks for DPWH officials, and
- imposed restrictions within the department to curb corruption.
Why Citizens Should Care
Every peso misused affects real lives:
- Traffic and Delays – Road projects delayed by corruption keep travel slow and costly.
- Public Safety – Collapsed bridges and failed flood control structures threaten lives.
- Disaster Risks – Ghost projects in flood-prone areas leave families vulnerable during typhoons.
By tracking project lists and following up on controversies, citizens gain the power to hold officials accountable. When people know what projects exist, where money goes, and whether structures actually stand, corruption becomes harder to hide.
Key Takeaways
| Focus Area | Details |
| Accessing Project Info | DPWH website, FOI portal, DBM budgets, PPP Center, PhilGEPS |
| Types of Projects | Roads, bridges, flood control, public buildings, maintenance |
| Issues Raised | Ghost projects, contractor monopolies, kickbacks, bribery |
| Investigations | Senate inquiries, COA audits, fraud probes |
| Government Response | Project list disclosure, lifestyle checks, official suspensions |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a project in my area is real?
Use the DPWH GIS map tool or the Project Status page to see details. You can also request information through the FOI portal if the project is not listed online.
What types of projects does DPWH handle?
DPWH mainly builds and maintains roads, bridges, flood control structures, schools, evacuation centers, and other public facilities.
What is a ghost project?
A ghost project is one listed as “completed” on paper but not actually built on the ground. Recent Senate inquiries exposed such cases in flood control projects.
How can citizens hold DPWH accountable?
You can report suspicious or unfinished projects to the Commission on Audit (COA), the Ombudsman, or through your local government office. Staying informed and asking questions are key to accountability.
Watch: PBBM, hinimok ang publiko na magsumbong sa pamamagitan ng sumbongsapangulo.ph
President Marcos revealed that P100 billion worth of flood control projects went to only 15 contractors.
He noted strange patterns such as neighboring barangays sharing the same contract amounts and contractors.
Many projects also lacked clear details, raising doubts about whether they were carried out properly.
To respond, the government launched a public reporting portal where citizens can submit photos and accounts of questionable works.
Marcos stressed that every complaint would be reviewed carefully before naming people involved.
Conclusion
DPWH projects shape how Filipinos travel, work, and stay safe, but recent controversies prove that transparency is just as important as construction. You can access official project lists through DPWH’s website and related government portals, explore the main types of works being carried out, and stay informed about corruption cases that question the integrity of flood control and other major programs. Citizen awareness is more than passive interest—it is the foundation of accountability. By staying informed, asking tough questions, and demanding better, Filipinos ensure that infrastructure spending builds not only roads and bridges but also a stronger, more trustworthy government.