Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon issued Department Order 74 on June 10, granting regional directors and district engineers authority to approve infrastructure fund disbursements despite recommendations from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to reduce such powers.
The order, which cancels a 2021 directive, delegates unlimited approval of notices of transfer of allocation to Undersecretary Rio Espiritu. It also sets specific caps for disbursement vouchers, such as up to 300 million pesos for regional directors on contractor payments.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure had recommended halving the approval limits for regional and district offices following its investigation into flood control projects. Retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr. noted in an October 2025 letter that elevated thresholds increased corruption risks.
Dizon had previously agreed with concerns raised during Senate hearings on the matter. In a separate development, the department committed support for infrastructure upgrades in Naga City alongside Mayor Leni Robredo.
