DPWH eyes green lane initiative for contractors

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February 19, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is looking to work with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in setting up a green lane to encourage legitimate contractors to take part in government projects as part of efforts to rebuild public trust and fight corruption.

Speaking at the PCCI’s general membership meeting, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon expressed the agency’s openness to working with the PCCI in establishing a green lane for faster processing of requirements and payments for contractors.

The idea is inspired by the green lane initiative being implemented by the Board of Investments for streamlined and expedited processing of permits and licenses for strategic investments.

“There’s no reason why we can’t do that in the DPWH. We can have a green lane… so that we can speed up the requirements, processing of payments,” Dizon said.

Through the green lane, he said the agency wants seamless and hassle-free checking of requirements for contractors.

“We know that sometimes you are being hassled. That is being done because there are people who are asking (something) from you,” Dizon said.

He said the DPWH wants to work with the PCCI on this initiative to encourage legitimate contractors’ participation in government projects.

PCCI president Ferdinand Ferrer said that the group raised the idea of setting up a green lane in order to immediately restart infrastructure projects with legitimate contractors.

Public construction declined by 42 percent in the fourth quarter last year and weighed on the country’s economic growth amid the flood control controversy.

Through the green lane, Ferrer said the aim is to encourage legitimate contractors to compete and bid for government projects.

The initiative is also intended to make it easier for legitimate contractors to take part in government projects.

This would include making sure that legitimate contractors get paid on time for their service.

The DPWH and PCCI are also set to work together on another initiative aimed at rebuilding trust in the government.

Dizon said that a memorandum of cooperation will be signed by the DPWH with the PCCI, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and Mayors for Good Governance on Feb. 23.

Last week, the DPWH launched the Integrity Chain Portal, which allows real-time tracking and monitoring of projects by accredited validators, including the PCCI.

Apart from working with the DPWH, the PCCI said the group is also pushing for greater private sector involvement in the Regional Development Councils’ (RDCs) project planning.

“We will request for a permanent seat in all these RDCs,” Ferrer said.

The RDC serves as the counterpart of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), responsible for coordinating development planning and policy-making in the region.

Ferrer said he is set to meet with DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to discuss the proposal.

He said the private sector should have a say in projects being implemented in the regions to ensure that these benefit stakeholders, including small businesses.

“PCCI or non-PCCI, it should be there. The important thing is we should be heard there when the plans are being developed,” Ferrer said.