Vince Dizon Assumes Role as Public Works Secretary
MANILA, Philippines — Vince Dizon officially took office as the new Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday, marking a new chapter in the agency’s leadership. From the start, Dizon emphasized his commitment to learning the ropes and addressing ongoing concerns within the department.
Recognizing the challenges faced by previous leaders, Dizon revealed that he plans to seek advice from three former DPWH secretaries to better understand the agency’s inner workings and prevent lapses in oversight. “In the next few days, I will be consulting two people close to me—former DPWH Secretary (Jose) Ping De Jesus and former DPWH Secretary (Rogelio) Babes Singson—as well as former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar,” he said during a briefing at Malacañang.
Learning from Past Leaders to Strengthen DPWH
Dizon candidly admitted, “I will be speaking with the three of them in the coming days to seek their guidance because I admit, I’m somewhat in the dark here. I don’t really know the system or the organization within the DPWH.” This openness highlights his intention to rely on experienced predecessors to navigate the complex environment of the department.
Each of the former secretaries has a distinguished history with the DPWH. Singson served during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III, while De Jesus was appointed under the late President Corazon Aquino. Villar led the agency during the Duterte administration. Although Singson was once considered a potential appointee for the position, he declined, confirming he would not accept the role despite receiving inquiries from Malacañang, community members said.
Focus on Flood-Prevention and Infrastructure Reviews
Aside from seeking guidance, Dizon pledged to conduct a thorough review of all flood-prevention projects across the country. He stressed the importance of prioritizing projects that directly impact citizens and cause significant daily hardships.
“It should be all. But we need to prioritize. And right now, our priority is to review the projects that are, so to speak, staring us in the face—the ones that are truly causing so much hardship for our fellow citizens every day,” Dizon explained, underscoring his administration’s commitment to addressing urgent infrastructure needs.
Swearing-In Ceremony and Additional Appointments
Dizon took his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a ceremony held early Monday. Alongside him, Giovanni Lopez, the Transportation Undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and Procurement, was sworn in as acting secretary of the Department of Transportation, officials reported.
With these leadership changes, the administration aims to strengthen governance in key infrastructure and transportation sectors, ensuring better service delivery and transparency for Filipino citizens.
For more news and updates on Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, visit Filipinokami.com.
