Government infrastructure projects will continue without delays despite rising oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said.
Dizon made the statement when asked whether higher fuel costs could slow down ongoing construction activities. While acknowledging that the oil price surge affects multiple sectors, he assured that infrastructure work will move forward as planned.
“No, it will continue. We will continue,” Dizon said during an interview after inspecting the interconnection segment of Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 in Pandacan, Manila. The inspection was conducted together with officials from the Department of Transportation and the Toll Regulatory Board.
According to Dizon, government infrastructure contracts contain provisions that allow adjustments when the cost of construction materials increases. These include variation and price escalation clauses that allow contractors to request additional payments if project costs rise.
These provisions are included in government rules governing public infrastructure projects and allow adjustments when construction inputs become more expensive.
The government also intends to keep major infrastructure programs moving forward despite the current energy situation.
The Department of Energy earlier warned that diesel prices could increase by as much as ₱24.25 per liter this week, depending on how oil companies implement the adjustments. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are projected to rise between ₱7 and ₱13 per liter.
In response to the energy situation, the Department of Public Works and Highways will adopt a hybrid work arrangement as part of government energy conservation measures.
Under the new schedule starting Monday, employees will work on-site from Monday to Thursday and shift to work-from-home arrangements on Fridays. The agency clarified that personnel assigned to frontline services will continue reporting on-site to ensure uninterrupted delivery of public service.
Dizon emphasized that the hybrid work setup will not affect the construction of infrastructure projects, which will continue as scheduled.
