The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) acknowledged that it initially submitted incomplete data to the Senate Committee on Finance regarding the application of updated Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD), as discussions continue over its proposed 2026 budget.
In an online statement, the DPWH said it provided only the Regional Adjustment Factors for the updated CMPD, which it recognized as insufficient for determining project-specific cost adjustments for nearly 10,000 infrastructure projects.
The department said the limited submission made it difficult for the committee to accurately assess cost adjustments at the project level.
To address this, the DPWH said it has since submitted additional data based on project categories, incorporating variables such as hauling distances and localized market behavior to provide a more detailed basis for funding adjustments.
The statement was issued amid budget deliberations in the Senate, where the DPWH faced questions over the use of CMPD in determining project costs.
Senators, including Senate Committee on Finance Chair Sherwin Gatchalian, cited the limited CMPD data as a basis for reducing the agency’s proposed 2026 budget, arguing that the updated price data supported lower material and project cost estimates.
The DPWH, for its part, said that across-the-board adjustments based solely on regional factors may affect project implementation, and reiterated that cost assessments should consider project-specific conditions.
The department said it remains committed to transparency and to ensuring that budget adjustments are based on technical considerations and operational feasibility.
