Newly-appointed Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Roger Mercardo, vowed to sustain the aggressive construction projects of the Duterte administration as he formally assumed the post on Thursday, Oct 14.
Mercado replaced Villar who resigned from his post to run for senator in the 2022 national elections.
Villar personally welcomed Mercado – the lawmaker from Leyte – during a turnover ceremony held at the DPWH Central Office in Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.
Prior to his appointment, Mercado was the vice chairman of the Public Works and Highways Committee Vice Chairperson in the 18th Congress.
“It is an honor to work with the professional men and women of DPWH and to be able to continue oversee the completion of Department’s flagship infrastructure programs and projects,” said Mercado.
“I vow to sustain the current momentum in the Department so we can deliver more high-impact projects that will benefit the Filipino people including those living in remote communities,” added the native of Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
Mercado is the 44th secretary of the DPWH. He is known for his Tourism, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture (TEA) Programs in his province as then Southern Leyte lone district Representative.