DIZON ORDERS COURTESY RESIGNATION OF ALL DPWH OFFICIALS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

NEWLY-APPOINTED Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the courtesy resignation of all officials within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), from the top ranks down to the district level.

Dizon made the announcement during a Palace press briefing on Monday, saying that the directive came from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following reports of alleged irregularities and anomalous projects within the DPWH.

“Ang unang-una ko pong order na ilalabas ay ang pag-order ng courtesy resignations top to bottom: usec, asec, division head, regional director, hanggang district engineer ng buong bansa,” Dizon said.

“Iyan po ang unang-unang direktiba ng ating Pangulo. Nag-usap po kami nang matagal kaninang umaga at ang sabi niya ‘linisin’ ang DPWH at ito po ang simula,” he added.

Dizon took his oath of office before President Marcos on Monday morning, officially assuming his role as DPWH chief, replacing former Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Dizon said after the courtesy resignation, the department will conduct a thorough review of all personnel to identify individuals who can be appointed to key and sensitive positions.

“Ako po ay naniniwala na maraming mabubuti at magagaling na kawani ng DPWH. Ang utos ng ating Pangulo hanapin sila at sila ang ilagay sa mga sensitibo at importanteng posisyon,” he said.

Dizon stressed the need for accountability in light of recent reports on so-called “ghost projects,” noting that such anomalies could not occur without the involvement or negligence of individuals within the department.

“Hindi po magkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng proyekto kung walang kakuntsaba sa loob ng DPWH,” he said.

Dizon cited as example the recent visit of President Marcos in Calumpit, Bulacan, where the Chief Executive exposed a non-existent flood control project. Despite the project’s absence, the President presented receipts showing that a contractor had already been paid, said Dizon.

“Papaano po nabayaran kung isang proyekto na guni-guni lang, na wala naman talaga? Mayroon po sa DPWH na nagpabayad doon,” he pointed out.

“Ang utos ng ating Pangulo hanapin ‘yung mga ‘yun at tanggalin sa puwesto at kasuhan. Iyon po ang unang gagawin natin sa mga susunod na araw, susunod na linggo,” he added.

Dizon acknowledged that his task would be challenging, especially for someone who has long served in government, but stressed that decisive action is necessary to clean the department.

“Hindi po ito madali para sa isang taong tulad ko na matagal ng nagtrabaho sa gobyerno. Pero kailangan po siyang gawin dahil nakita po natin, nakita po ng ating Pangulo, nakita nating lahat ang mga nangyari dito sa ahensiyang ito,” he said.