The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) commend the decisive move of President Bongbong Marcos to create the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI). The ICI, as currently composed and empowered, is a strong signal of the President’s political will to address infrastructure anomalies, especially in flood control.
The PCCI strongly support the appointment of independent professionals and technical experts to the Commission.
Former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Rogelio “Babes” Singson brings unmatched experience in managing large-scale projects and navigating on-the-ground realities, bottlenecks, and corruption risks in procurement and construction. Former Chair of the Procurement Policy Board–Technical Support Office (PS- GPPB-TSO), Ms. Rossana Fajardo offers institutional knowledge in public procurement, economics, and governance, which are critical to addressing systemic loopholes in procurement processes. Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong adds investigative rigor and accountability, leveraging his law enforcement background to strengthen evidence-gathering and oversight. Together, this strategically balanced team combines operational, institutional, and investigative strengths that can translate findings into actionable reforms.
The ICI has been given a powerful mandate. To ensure its success, three foundational elements are non-negotiable:
- robust funding to recruit and maintain a highly competent technical secretariat;
- complete independence, free from political and external influence; and
- seamless, unwavering inter-agency support where all government bodies must provide timely access to documents and personnel, as well as protocols with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to ensure referrals are acted upon within strict, enforceable timeframes.
With its strong legal foundation and credible composition, the ICI can become a cornerstone institution for safeguarding public funds and ensuring that infrastructure projects deliver real value to the Filipino people.
The PCCI stand ready to collaborate with the ICI where appropriate, and to support its mission of embedding integrity, efficiency, and accountability into the country’s infrastructure development — a vital foundation for sustained national growth.
