Bill of Materials and Labor Cost Transparency Act (Proposed)

Proposed Law Mandating Public Disclosure of Project Itemization Prior to Contract Signing.

In many government infrastructure projects, citizens, engineers, and watchdog groups remain unaware of the actual itemized cost breakdown until after a contract is already signed. This lack of early disclosure prevents public scrutiny, invites overpricing, and increases the risk of collusion and corruption. Transparency before contract signing is a safeguard against abuse.

The proposed Bill of Materials Transparency Act requires all government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to publish the complete and itemized Bill of Materials (BOM) - including quantities, unit costs, labor estimates, and subcontractor scopes - at least seven (7) calendar days before any public infrastructure contract is awarded or signed. The BOM must be posted on the agency’s website, LGU's website, social media channels, and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).

This Act ensures that engineers, concerned citizens, civic organizations, and anti-corruption watchdogs have enough time to examine cost structures and report anomalies before a contract becomes legally binding. It transforms the pre-award phase into an opportunity for transparency, competition, and fairness.

If enacted, this law would institutionalize a simple but powerful check against government overspending, ghost projects, and rigged bidding. By opening the itemization to public view before the moment of contract approval, it restores accountability to taxpayers and raises the technical quality of infrastructure nationwide.