Dizon Orders DPWH Revamp, Demands Executives’ Courtesy Resignations

Newly appointed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered a massive restructuring within the agency by directing all officials, from undersecretaries to district engineers, to submit their courtesy resignations. The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a thorough cleanup amid mounting corruption allegations tied to irregular flood control projects.

Dizon assured that the resignations will not cause disruptions in ongoing infrastructure projects, as officials will remain in their posts until their replacements are named. He emphasized that the directive is meant to restore credibility and accountability within the DPWH, long plagued by controversies over substandard and overpriced projects.

President Marcos earlier announced the creation of an independent commission composed of forensic experts, prosecutors, and legal specialists to investigate anomalies in flood control spending. The commission is tasked with building airtight cases and filing charges with the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice, signaling a more aggressive approach to tackling graft in public works.

Dizon also warned contractors engaged in ghost projects or poor-quality infrastructure that they face permanent blacklisting. He said the DPWH will impose immediate lifetime bans without waiting for lengthy investigations, ensuring that erring contractors are swiftly barred from future government projects.

In addition, reforms will extend to the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), which Dizon vowed to overhaul in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and Malacañang. The changes aim to close loopholes in licensing that have allowed undercapitalized but highly graded contractors to continue winning government projects.

Dizon assumed the DPWH leadership after the resignation of Manuel Bonoan, who stepped down on September 1 following mounting criticism over questionable flood control projects. The revamp marks the administration’s strongest attempt yet to address corruption in one of the country’s most vital infrastructure agencies.