Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday administered the oath of office to Vince Dizon, the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Marcos directed Dizon to tackle corruption and eliminate 'ghost projects' in the agency, emphasizing the need for integrity in infrastructure development.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos stated in a social media post, "His mission is to clean up corruption, end ghost projects and ensure every peso spent truly protects and serves our people." He highlighted the vision of 'Bagong Pilipinas' as one that includes infrastructure that is safe, future-ready, and built with integrity. Marcos articulated that this is what the Filipino people deserve and what the administration intends to deliver.
Dizon replaces Manuel Bonoan, who resigned effective September 1, taking responsibility for alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects under his leadership. Marcos had earlier mentioned that Bonoan stepped down under the principle of 'command responsibility,' and an independent commission will be formed through an executive order to investigate these irregularities.
Dizon, who has previously served as Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects and more recently as Transportation Secretary, was instrumental in implementing the infrastructure initiatives under the Duterte administration's Build, Build, Build program. He also played a significant role in the government's Covid-19 pandemic response. Marcos expressed confidence that Dizon's management skills and track record in large-scale infrastructure development would help restore integrity and efficiency in DPWH operations.
Undersecretary Giovanni Lopez will replace Dizon as Transportation chief, having taken his oath at the Palace as acting Secretary.
The Federation of Philippine Industry (FPI) has expressed support for Dizon's appointment, anticipating improvements in infrastructure standards, procurement transparency, and resilience. The FPI noted that Dizon's tenure at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was marked by accelerated infrastructure delivery, modernization of commuter systems through cashless integration, and swift enforcement of safety reforms, showcasing a results-driven leadership style focused on action over rhetoric.
FPI remarked, "This is precisely the kind of governance needed to restore integrity and accountability in DPWH, especially in light of recent anomalies in flood control projects." The federation looks forward to collaborating with Secretary Dizon in advancing higher technical standards, transparent procurement systems, and a public infrastructure program built on trust. It emphasized the importance of independent monitoring, digital traceability, and full public disclosure of project specifications and supplier compliance to ensure that every structure built reflects not just progress, but integrity.
