The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday, Oct. 10, halted all road reblocking works following allegations that some projects were carried out to generate kickbacks rather than repair actual road damage.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, in a press conference, said the repeated dismantling and reconstruction of roads in seemingly good condition has long frustrated citizens.

He added that these concerns prompted the department to issue new rules regulating reblocking projects to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Why are roads being torn up when they seem fine? In many cases, we already know the reason—it’s for profit, because money is made both in destroying and reconstructing them,” Dizon explained.

Local communities have raised concerns over repeated reblocking cycles in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, citing traffic disruptions and public inconvenience as major issues.

Civil society groups also pointed to wasted government funds as evidence of mismanagement in infrastructure projects, calling for stricter oversight and proper planning.

Under the new directive, all ongoing and planned reblocking projects will undergo thorough review to ensure proper planning, transparency, and strict adherence to engineering standards as part of DPWH’s effort to curb corruption and safeguard public resources.

“Effective immediately, all reblocking activities are on hold until clear guidelines and monitoring mechanisms are in place,” Dizon said, signaling a decisive step toward restoring public trust and accountability in road maintenance.