Dizon appeals to employees: We have to save DPWH

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon on Monday appealed to employees of the department to help weed out the bad eggs, as the administration seeks to implement a sweeping reform from the highest ranks down to district engineers.

In his first flag raising ceremony as DPWH Secretary, Dizon — who took charge last Monday, September 1 — said that while he believes there are more individuals in the department who are honest, they need to work together to remove those involved in anomalies.

“Tulungan niyo po ako. Tulungan natin ang Presidente. Nakita naman po natin na totoong may mga masasamang tao dito. Tulungan niyo po akong tanggalin sila dito,” he said.

(Help me. Let us help the President. We’ve seen that there are really bad people here. Help me remove them from here.)

“Naniniwala po ako, karamihan sa inyo, the vast majority, are good, honest, hardworking, and loyal government workers of this country… we have to save DPWH,” he added.

Dizon last week announced that he will order the courtesy resignation of all officials of the DPWH from top to bottom, in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive of a clean sweep of the department.

Just last week Marcos ordered a sweeping review of the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the National Expenditure Program (NEP), with the agency tasked to implement the flood control projects.

Marcos, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, warned government personnel who steal public funds — such as those for flood control projects — to have some shame.

He also earlier launched a website on flood control, and urged citizens to report any wrongdoings through the platform, as he found that only 15 firms have cornered 20% of contracts across the country.—LDF, GMA Integrated News