Road to progress: Mercado urges DPWH personnel to link poor, developed areas
Understanding the need for road works and improvement as well as construction of more infrastructures, the leadership of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) encouraged fellow employees to continue the good work the office has been doing for the coming years.

DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado said during a meeting with fellow officials that improving the road is key to the growth of depressed and isolated areas as it connects places to major cities in the country.
“The DPWH must continue the program in connecting the dots between progressive cities and provinces with areas that are not yet able to reap the benefits of commerce, business and trade”, Mercado said during the Unified Directors Meeting hosted by DPWH Regional Office XI last Friday, Dec. 13, in Davao City.
According to Mercado, the department has to maximize the utilization of various resources, particularly on projects that have a big impact on the lives of the people not only in the cities but also in areas that are hard to reach due to rough roads.
During the meeting attended by DPWH undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors, Mercado identified the accomplishments of the department which highlighted the assessment for their overall performance this year.
Different concerns were also tackled with focus on how DPWH can further improve the agency’s work.
Mercado, who took over as DPWH chief when former Secretary Mark Villar stepped down two months ago, also commended the men and women of the department for pushing forward despite the difficult situation brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
As the term of President Duterte draws to a close by mid-2022, Mercado reminded all personnel about the need to carry-on the DPWH's significant contributions in the country's socio-economic growth by preparing ahead an updated infrastructure plan for the next administration in sync with the national blueprint for development.
“I know that if not the challenges and problems we faced beyond our control, DPWH could have achieved more. For what the department has accomplished, you more than me deserves a pat on the back,” said Mercado.