Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan reminded the district engineering office (DEO) personnel in the country “to put into practice’’ the policies and programs crafted by the department to support the eight-point socioeconomic agenda of the President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. administration.
As the lead infrastructure arm of the government, Bonoan pointed out that the department, through the “Build, Better, More” program, “aims to improve living conditions of the Filipino people through modernization and by improving the quality of our public infrastructure.’’
Earlier, Bonoan asserted the value of professionalism to the district engineers, assistant district engineers and other field engineers of the department during the May 18 to 19 District Engineers League of the Philippines (DELP) assembly held in Tagaytay City.
Bonoan reiterated his call for the district engineers and assistant district engineers to extend their best efforts in performing their sworn duties, citing the value of “working together as one to address the demand for better infrastructure that will significantly contribute in achieving the goal for sustain inclusive and resilient growth.’’
“The implementation and completion with precision of key infrastructure projects nationwide is expected to greatly help the Philippines achieve its targets of economic growth, increased employment, and poverty reduction,’’ Bonoan emphasized.
With more than 380 district engineers and assistant district engineers in the country’s 16 regions present, the 2023 midyear convention was attended by Agimat Partylist Representative Bryan B. Revilla; Undersecretaries Eugenio R. Pipo Jr., Roberto R. Bernardo, Anne Sharlyne G. Lapuz, and Carlos G. Mutuc; Assistant Secretaries Ador G. Canlas and Rey Peter B. Gille; and Directors Jovel G. Mendoza, Roseller A. Tolentino, Cayamombao D. Dia, Zenaida T. Tan, Basir M. Ibrahim, Pol M. Delos Santos, Randy R. Del Rosario, and Danilo L. Balisi.
DELP National President Rey R. Francisco in his mid-year report shared “the league’s initiatives in the past five months for its member district and assistant district engineers such as amendments submitted to the Central Office for consideration the creation of Assistant District Engineer plantilla position with upgraded salary and testimonial accreditation as project engineers and materials upon service retirement.’’
The DELP National Executive Board also plans to revive the following programs “Gamit Pang-eskwela, Hatid ay Saya” project under the DELP’s program Delivering Education as Leverage for Progress intended to provide basic school needs of public school students in the far-flung areas, Scholarship Project for indigent but deserving students who want to pursue higher education under the DELP Cares Program, construction of gender-friendly toilet facilities along critical travelled areas; and construction of waiting sheds dubbed “Silungan ng Mananakay para sa Ligtas na Paglalakbay”.
The DPWH infrastructure frontliners had a fruitful session of new learnings as Project Manager Jerry A. Fano discussed the impact analysis and evaluation process of the Unified Project Management Office - Flood Control Management Cluster while a Ms. Rachelle Anne Miranda from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shared innovations in disaster risk reduction and resilience on earthquake and climate change.
“Guided by the theme “Reinforcing Sustainable Infrastructure: Promoting Road Engineering Stewardship in Communities”, this year’s DELP mid-year national convention was hosted by Region IV-A Chapter with District Engineer Joven M. Calabia as convention chairman,’’ the DPWH continued.