Ombudsman Crispin "Boying" Remulla criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways over its alleged failure to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects for government agencies.

Remulla made the statement on his radio program on Saturday, August 15.

Among the examples he cited was the alleged failure to properly construct the UP-PGH Cancer Center project, valued at around 9 billion pesos.

He also cited the construction of the new Bureau of Immigration office, which he said has been 10 years in the making.

The same issue applies to the NBI headquarters, where he said the agency opted to buy an old building instead of constructing a new one.

According to Remulla, it would be better to buy old buildings, which are cheaper and better, than to construct new buildings similar to those under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon agreed with Remulla's statements regarding projects under the PPP scheme.

According to Dizon, until there is reform in the internal system and culture within the DPWH, PPP projects will remain better than government-constructed buildings.

Dizon also believes that under the PPP scheme, timeliness, high quality, cost efficiency, and high standards of projects for the public can be guaranteed.

In connection with this, Dizon assured continued cooperation with the Ombudsman to implement the necessary reforms within the DPWH.

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