President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently announced that ₱255 billion from DPWH allocations will be redirected towards health, education, and livelihood programs for the Filipino people.

The message was framed as a rejection of corruption and wastage — “Sa halip na masayang o manakaw...” — a line meant to hit hard against long-standing issues of fund misuse in infrastructure projects.

But here’s the real question: Will this reallocation be fully realized, or will it meet the same fate as countless promises of reform?

For decades, DPWH budgets have been criticized as a “goldmine for kickbacks” — from ghost projects to overpriced flood control systems. Now, shifting funds away from DPWH to “people-centered” services could signal a new direction. Or, it could simply be rebranding old issues with new buzzwords.

Filipinos deserve clarity. Transparency reports, clear timelines, and measurable impact must accompany this announcement. Otherwise, the ₱255 billion pledge risks being just another political soundbite instead of meaningful change.