OUTGOING Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday reported to the public that the agency under his watch has blacklisted or suspended 29 contractors and removed more than 80 personnel from their positions as part of the government’s campaign against corruption.
Taking over the top Department of Transportation (DOtr) post, which he previously held, Dizon disclosed the figures during a media briefing with newly appointed DPWH chief Giovanni Lopez.
Dizon outlined the reforms undertaken at the DPWH and called for their continuation under the new leadership.
Of the 29 contractors, about 20 had been blacklisted and nine suspended, Dizon said, warning that more contractors and personnel could face sanctions in the coming weeks as he turned over to Lopez several documents that appeared to be involving more erring agency officials and personnel.
Saying government would continue going after those responsible for irregularities while protecting honest and competent employees, Dizon cited the arrest of two individuals in connection with corruption allegations, saying the government’s accountability drive would continue.
Dizon said the DPWH prioritized completing stalled infrastructure projects before undertaking new ones, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.
He cited several projects that had remained unfinished for years but were completed or accelerated under his leadership, including a bridge project that had been stalled for 15 years before being completed in five months.
Other bridges and roads in various parts of the country had also been completed or brought closer to completion, he said, stressing that infrastructure delays affect public safety, mobility and livelihoods.
On flood control, Dizon said nearly half of more than 70 pumping stations in Metro Manila had been nonoperational when he assumed leadership of the DPWH. Most of the previously nonoperational stations have since been restored, he added.
The department had also continued dredging and desilting waterways to improve drainage and reduce flooding while 19 flood management master plans were ready for implementation, he said.
Dizon said the DPWH was also exploring nature-based flood control solutions instead of relying primarily on concrete structures, with technical cooperation being pursued with the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea.
He cited the department’s transparency initiatives, including an online portal launched in November that allows the public to access and download project and budget documents.
Dizon said infrastructure projects proposed in the 2027 national budget must have complete supporting documents, stressing that transparency and accountability should remain central to project implementation.
He also called for continued cooperation with civil society organizations, religious groups, namely, Caritas, People’s Budget Council, Bisto Proyekto; and local governments led by the Mayors for Good Governance to monitor infrastructure projects and ensure that complaints prompt swift action.
The department, he said, could not independently inspect and monitor all projects nationwide, making public participation essential to identifying irregularities and implementation problems.
Dizon added that nearly 3,000 DPWH employees were promoted, emphasizing the importance of recognizing personnel based on merit rather than personal connections.
The DPWH has about 70,000 employees nationwide.
He said the challenge for the new leadership was to institutionalize the reforms so they would continue beyond the tenure of individual officials.
Dizon said the anti-corruption campaign, transparency measures and improvements in infrastructure delivery must be sustained regardless of changes in leadership.
Allocation defended
Malacañang on Tuesday defended the allocation for the public works projects in the district represented by House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the president’s son.
This comes after the district received a P4.38 billion increase in funding through insertions made by the House in the General Appropriations Bill for 2027 — the largest increase in allocation in public works funding.
In a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said funds should be allocated to projects as long as they are properly used and do not involve ghost projects or substandard materials.
“If the projects of a congressman will be used properly, why should they be blocked?” she said in Filipino.
Addressing concerns about whether the president would veto unitemized or undocumented budget allocations, Castro noted that the legitimacy of a project rests on whether funds are executed as intended rather than the origin of the insertion.
Castro emphasized that lawmakers naturally seek funding improvements for their respective constituencies, regardless of their family ties to the executive branch.
“Congressmen have their own districts that they look after — districts where they want to see improvements. And this applies to everyone — it’s not specific to Congressman Sandro Marcos; we are speaking in general terms,” Castro said.
She noted that budget insertions are only problematic if they end up in the pockets of politicians.
“There will be no issues, provided they always keep in mind and take to heart the president’s intent — that the funds are for the Filipino people, not for the pockets of any politician,” said Castro.
Castro reiterated Marcos’ policy that public funds must directly benefit taxpayers rather than serve personal interests.
“There will be no harm done, provided they always keep in mind and take to heart what the president desires — that the funds are for the Filipino people, not for the pockets of any politician,” Castro said.
