Dizon takes helm of DPWH; vows ‘internal cleansing’ within agency

By Brian Campued

Newly appointed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday vowed to clean the ranks of the agency as he ordered a 60-day massive shakeup to restore public trust amid controversies over anomalous and “ghost” flood control projects across the country.

During a media briefing at the DPWH head office in Manila after Dizon formally assumed leadership of the beleaguered agency from former secretary Manuel Bonoan, the new Public Works chief stressed that the move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to address issues hounding the department.

“Bibigyan natin ang sarili natin ng hanggang 60 days, hopefully ma-normalize natin ang sitwasyon sa DPWH,” Dizon said, reiterating the President’s reminder that public funds must be used for projects the citizenry can benefit from.

“Sabi ng Pangulo we cannot be helpless, I could not allow [the] government to be helpless in the face of these suffering. We have to do something,” he added.

Part of the said internal cleansing was Dizon’s marching order for all DPWH officials—from undersecretary down to district engineers—to submit courtesy resignations, which he announced hours after he took his oath as DPWH Secretary before the Chief Executive.

Dizon also expressed full support for the independent commission to be formed by Marcos that will be tasked to probe into the DPWH and its personnel and officials as well as flood control anomalies.

This as he confirmed that the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Committee formed by Bonoan would be abolished to give way for the independent body. 

“Let us allow the independent commission to do its job. I personally do not believe that the organization should be investigating itself—that is, at the very least, very awkward,” Dizon said.

Meanwhile, Bonoan disclosed that they discovered about 15 “non-existent” projects during their investigation on the completed projects under the current administration, but clarified that these are yet to be classified as “ghost” projects.

“Nakita ko… there are 15 non-existent [projects], hindi pa naman ghost. These need to be validated,” Bonoan said. “15 out of, I think, about 1,600 project sites that have to be validated. And I think there are about 160 or so locations that need to be validated.”

The former DPWH chief said their findings will also be turned over to Dizon. (with report from Bernard Ferrer and Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)

-jpv