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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Dizon: ICI to look into overpricing, under-delivery modus in solar lamp projects

Dizon: ICI to look into overpricing, under-delivery modus in solar lamp projects

Published Sep 21, 2025 03:37 pm
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon holds a press conference at the agency’s head office in Port Area, Manila, on September 12, 2025, where he vowed to recover public funds allegedly lost to anomalous flood-control projects. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon holds a press conference at the agency’s head office in Port Area, Manila, on September 12, 2025, where he vowed to recover public funds allegedly lost to anomalous flood-control projects. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
The independent commission created by President Marcos to look into the anomalies in government infrastructure will also probe into the modus operandi in solar lamp projects across the country.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said the modus includes overpricing and under-delivery of solar lamps.
“It is not only overpriced by three times or five times the original cost. In some cases, there were under-deliveries,” said Dizon in an interview over ABS-CBN. 
Citing the conversation he had with Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, Dizon said there was a case that the project was declared to have 2,000 solar lamps but despite declaration of full delivery, only less than 1,000 solar lamps were delivered.
Magalong was designated as special investigator for the Independent Commission on Infrastructure which was created by President Marcos amid the allegation of massive corruption in the flood control projects.
Aside from solar lamps, the ICI will also look into other overpriced and substandard projects.
“All of these will be looked into by the ICI, this is the mandate given by the President to the ICI,” said Dizon.
“This will be a long and tedious process but there is a need for all the involved to be held accountable,” he added.
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