PUBLIC Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez said anti-corruption reforms would continue under his watch to restore public confidence in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Lopez said he would make sure the reforms initiated by Vince Dizon were institutionalized.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently ordered a Cabinet reshuffle where Dizon and Lopez swapped places. Dizon returned to head the Department of Transportation to address mass transit and daily commuter issues, while Lopez assumed leadership of the DPWH to institutionalize ongoing anti-corruption and transparency reforms.
Lopez said it would take a strong political will to implement reforms at the DPWH, noting he would focus on changing the system and culture of the department.
He said culture change means transforming the mindset, daily habits and sense of accountability of both rank-and-file employees and officials. This, he said, would ensure that anti-corruption and transparency norms would continue in future administrations.
He said reform programs must encompass the entire project cycle from budget preparation and procurement up to implementation.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Dizon handed over to Lopez documents on erring DPWH officials and personnel.
Dizon reported that over 80 DPWH personnel were dismissed while 29 contractors were either blacklisted or suspended under his watch.
