Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the agency will be intensifying its efforts in evaluating infrastructure projects to prevent the approval of projects without plans and without endorsement from the appropriate development councils.

Dizon said this aims to deter a system of favoritism and patronage in the implementation of projects within the government, according to RH 29 Boy Gonzales’ report on Monday.

The public works secretary stressed the need for every project to have a clear plan and proper endorsement from local and regional development councils before receiving funding.

He also assured that each program will be properly planned: based on the agency’s new formula and a system that addresses actual needs in its locality. Additionally, the agency promised to prioritize the completion of ongoing projects.

Aside from this, Dizon also announced that “allocables” in the DPWH’s proposed national budget for this year will be removed. He explained that, in its place, a more just system based on the different needs of every region would be implemented.