Sen. Escudero files bill for price analysis in infra projects

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has proposed Senate Bill No. 1467 to implement a Detailed Unit Price Analysis (DUPA) system for all national government infrastructure projects, aiming to standardize the budgeting process and curb overpricing.

The DUPA system mandates that project appropriations must be supported by documentation that establishes the technical and financial basis for their determination, including a detailed itemization of labor, equipment, and materials.

This documentation will be a prerequisite for inclusion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the General Appropriations Act (GAA), as well as for procurement and fund release.

The bill was filed following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to slash construction material costs and institutionalize reforms within the Department of Public Works and Highways.

It also calls for the creation of a national reference manual for DUPA, to be updated every three years, and a capacity-building program for relevant government personnel.

Escudero stated that these tools aim to ensure consistency in cost estimation and strengthen institutional safeguards against inefficiency and corruption, promoting fiscal discipline and deterring unscrupulous budget practices.