Manuel Bonoan resigns as DPWH secretary, Vince Dizon is new chief

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Sunday appointed Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon as the new head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), following the resignation of Manuel Bonoan.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has accepted the resignation of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan effective 1 September 2025,” Malacañang said.

“To lead the DPWH through this critical transition, the President has appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon as the new Secretary of DPWH,” it added.

Malacañang said Dizon has been tasked to conduct a "full organizational sweep" of DPWH and ensure that public funds are used solely for infrastructure projects in the country.

Meanwhile, the President designated Atty. Giovanni Lopez as acting DOTr secretary.

Before his appointment, Lopez served as DOTr’s undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and Procurement. 

He also became the chief of staff in the Office of the Secretary from 2020-2022 and held senior positions overseeing critical railway, aviation, and maritime infrastructure projects.

To ensure accountability, the President established an Independent Commission to Investigate Flood Control Anomalies.

“This body will conduct a comprehensive review of projects, identify irregularities, and recommend accountability measures to ensure public trust in infrastructure spending,”  Malacañang said.

In a statement Sunday, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said, "The President made both a hard decision and a good choice in Secretary Vince Dizon to replace a beleaguered DPWH secretary."

"I have watched and followed Vince Dizon’s indefatigable, almost daily effort to solve the numerous problems that beset the transportation sector. I can only wish him Godspeed and more importantly, good health," he added.

Meanwhile, Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-List said Bonoan is still invited to the Infrastructure Committee hearing.

In a separate statement, Ridon, the Co-Chairperson of InfraComm, said, "Former Secretary Bonoan will still be invited to the InfraComm hearing, and an invitation will be given to incoming DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon." 

"We thank Secretary Bonoan for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors. The House Infrastructure Committee will nonetheless continue with its initial hearing on Tuesday, focusing on the President’s site inspections of ghost and substandard projects in Bulacan, and undercapitalized firms cornering billions of pesos in flood control contracts", Ridon added. 

Amid calls for his resignation, Bonoan had said he will leave it to the President’s decision if he needs to take a leave amid the probe into the alleged anomalous flood control projects in the country. 

The President had disclosed that 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors, five of which have projects in almost all regions nationwide.

The DPWH had issued a preventive suspension of the district offices involved in ghost projects, including the Bulacan First District Engineering Office, from its District Engineer, Assistant District Engineer, and section chiefs.  

The District Engineer of the Batangas 1st District Engineering Office was also suspended for allegedly attempting to bribe Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.

On Friday, the Quezon City government said it approved only two out of 254 monitored flood control projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Saturday tagged two executives of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) for supposed potential conflict of interest in approving public works contracts involving the DPWH while sitting on the top ranks of the organization. — RF, GMA Integrated News