President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Vince Dizon as the new Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), following the resignation of former Secretary Manny Bonoan over alleged corruption tied to anomalous flood control projects.
Marcos expressed confidence that Dizon would deliver reforms in the DPWH similar to what he implemented during his tenure at the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“He’s done a very good job sa DOTr. And I think he’s already set the stage for all of the things that we need to do. So, puwede na niyang iwanan and go to Public Works kasi he’s also familiar with the workings of the Department of Public Works and Highways,” the President said.
At a press briefing in Malacañang, Dizon confirmed that his first directive as DPWH chief would be a sweeping round of courtesy resignations across the agency.
“The first order I will put out is the courtesy resignations, top to bottom — undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, division heads, regional directors, down to district engineers,” Dizon said.
He stressed that the President’s mandate was clear: a total “clean sweep” of the agency.
Dizon also announced a lifetime blacklist against contractors proven to have engaged in “ghost” or substandard flood control projects.
“These ghost projects and substandard projects, I cleared it with the President that these contractors… I will impose a lifetime blacklisting ban, immediately,” he declared.
The move comes as the DPWH faces mounting scrutiny over billions in questionable flood control contracts allegedly cornered by favored contractors.