In a year-end address blending festive greetings with sober industry analysis, Crimes and Corruption Watch Inc. (CCWI) Vice President Asec. Walter R. Ocampo outlined significant challenges facing the sector while calling for steadfast solidarity among members.
The speech was delivered during the CCWI Lecture & Christmas Party, an event attended by board members, executive directors, and representatives from regional and district offices.
Regulatory Evolution and Market Pressure
Asec. Ocampo highlighted impending changes within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that will impact the organization. He specifically addressed the transition from the old Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) to the new RA 12009, noting that while an estimated 80-90% of the provisions remain consistent, a critical shift is expected in the role and participation of observers—a function central to CCWI’s work.
Beyond regulatory updates, the Vice President pointed to acute market pressures. He expressed concern over drastically lowered project prices in District Offices, a trend he warned could lead to other contractors seeking to be “compounded in our projects,” posing a direct threat to the consultancy sector.
“We have faced a lot of challenges. We have faced a lot of breaking,” Ocampo stated, acknowledging past difficulties while framing the current price competition as a fresh and formidable obstacle.
A Call for Resolve and Recognition
In response to these challenges, Ocampo emphasized the irreplaceable role of CCWI members as expert judges on the ground. “Whatever we see on the site, as long as we are in the DPWH, as long as we know our role, we will not disappear,” he asserted, projecting confidence in the organization’s expertise and purpose.
He also rallied support for the CCWI Chairman, Dr. Carlo Batalla, praising the documentation of the organization’s activities. In a striking remark on the group’s profile, Ocampo noted, “CCWI’s authority is established nationwide, and we are proud to now also receive recognition from the United Nations, expanding our reach to the global stage.” This comment underscored a broader theme of advocating for greater institutional acknowledgment of their technical contributions.
Festive Spirit Amidst Serious Discourse
The speech balanced its serious content with the event’s celebratory spirit. Ocampo extended warm Christmas and New Year’s greetings to all attendees, thanking the hardworking leadership, including Executive Director Garret, Mills, and members Carlo Batalla.
Concluding on an optimistic note, he expressed hope that everyone would enjoy the Christmas party, before inviting the assembly for a group photograph—a symbolic gesture of unity as the organization looks toward 2026.
The event served as both a holiday celebration and a strategic briefing, setting the stage for a year anticipated to be defined by adaptation, advocacy, and resilience in the face of sectoral transformation.#
