Massive overhaul at DPWH looms

National

WITH a new chief at the helm, a massive overhaul will be done within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Secretary Vivencio Dizon, who assumed office on Monday, September 1, said he was ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to implement a top-to-bottom purge amid the issues surrounding the agency.

Per a report by Philstar, Dizon shared that the President’s first directive was to order the courtesy resignations of DPWH’s officials, from undersecretaries down to district engineers nationwide.

“We need to have a clean slate, according to the President. It cannot be limited to the top. It cannot be limited to the bottom. It should be top to bottom,” Dizon said in a press briefing shortly after he was sworn in by President Marcos at Malacañang.

“This is the start...of a clean sweep. That is the first directive of the President,” Dizon said.

Dizon vowed to carry out a thorough review of all DPWH personnel as the President wants him to find competent officials to be placed in sensitive and key posts.

Replacing the resigned Manuel Bonoan, Dizon was also ordered to identify public works personnel involved in anomalous projects and to remove them from their posts.

Dizon’s appointment came while DPWH is facing scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Dizon admitted that the flooding problem needs immediate attention.

“It has to be addressed right away. It will not be easy. There is no miracle here. No silver bullet. It will not be fixed tomorrow. This will take time because it has taken decades for this to build up like this,” he said.