P931K for a wooden kiosk? DPWH subproject in Mati draws scrutiny
DAVAO ORIENTAL — A P931,787.09 government-funded structure that appears to be little more than a wooden kiosk with roofing is drawing scrutiny after official Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) records and progress photos revealed a stark contrast between cost and apparent scale.
The amount is one of five subprojects under Contract ID 25LG0048, a DPWH-funded “Construction of Multi-Purpose Building, Package 2” in the City of Mati, which carries a total contract cost of P7,855,100.15, according to the DPWH Transparency Portal.
While the overall project is nearing completion, attention has zeroed in on the nearly P1-million sub-allocation after DPWH-uploaded images showed a small, open-sided structure featuring wooden posts and railings topped by a simple metal roof—bearing closer resemblance to a roadside kiosk or waiting shed than to a conventional multi-purpose facility.
Construction benchmarks show that similar structures typically cost far less.
Industry estimates place the cost of a basic kiosk or waiting shed—using wood or light steel framing, open sides, and metal roofing—at P150,000 to P350,000. Even a small barangay multipurpose shed with concrete footing, steel framing, and basic electrical work usually falls within P400,000 to P700,000.
Against these ranges, the P931,787.09 price tag stands out unless the cost includes major non-visible components, such as extensive foundations, site development, drainage works, utilities, or specialized specifications not evident in the publicly posted photos.
DPWH records confirm that the project was awarded to Rangay Construction and Supply and implemented by the DPWH Davao Oriental 2nd District Engineering Office, with funding from the 2025 General Appropriations Act (Regular Infrastructure – SSP).
However, as of posting time, the DPWH Transparency Portal does not publicly show an itemized bill of quantities (BOQ) or detailed technical plans for the P931,787.09 subproject, making it difficult for the public to independently assess how the amount was computed.
The overall contract is listed as 99.21 percent complete, but remains officially tagged as “On-Going,” with the actual completion date still marked “TBA.”
Public money, public questions
No finding of wrongdoing has been made. Still, infrastructure observers say the case underscores a recurring issue in public works: when cost disclosures are not matched with detailed specifications, even legitimate projects invite doubt.
With heightened national attention on infrastructure spending and project pricing, critics argue that proactive release of plans, BOQs, and scope details is essential—not only to address questions, but to protect implementing agencies and contractors from suspicion.
For now, the P931,787.09 kiosk-sized structure stands as a reminder that in publicly funded projects, appearance matters, documentation matters more—and silence fuels scrutiny.