Bacolod Rep. Benitez urges overhaul of DPWH

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Benitez has raised the possibility of dismantling the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid growing allegations of corruption involving questionable flood control projects.

In a statement posted Friday on his social media page, Benitez said Congress must now consider whether sweeping reforms can still salvage the agency or if its continued existence has become “untenable.”

“It seems that now is also the time for us to deliberate on whether change is possible in the DPWH,” he said.

“Would a top-to-bottom reform work, or have we come to the point where the continued existence of the agency has become untenable and we must dismantle and replace it altogether?” he added.

His remarks follow the ongoing Senate inquiry into the flood control scam, which has implicated several legislators and high-ranking officials.

Among those linked to the controversy is former Speaker Martin Romualdez, who faces allegations of misappropriating and diverting public funds on a large scale.

Benitez called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to “take immediate action and expedite its ongoing investigation” into the scope of the alleged collusion and misuse of funds.

“What is left for us to do in Congress?” he said.

“It is now up to us to ensure that we put an end to these sordid practices,” he added, stressing that new legislation must be strong enough “to bite through the thick skins of those among us who are involved in this shameful conspiracy.”

The congressman urged his fellow lawmakers to act beyond self-interest and prove the chamber’s relevance in confronting corruption.

“The people are waiting to see if our chamber can reassert its relevance and act not out of self-interest but for the people’s benefit,” Benitez said.

“I sincerely hope that we can still find practicable solutions to address systemic corruption in our government,” he added.