At A Glance
- This development comes after President Marcos accepted the resignation of Sec. Manny Bonoan effective September 1 amid the Senate's ongoing investigation into all questionable flood control projects.
Senators on Sunday, August 31 welcomed the entry of Secretary Vince Dizon as the new Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief.
This development comes after President Marcos accepted the resignation of Sec. Manny Bonoan effective September 1 amid ongoing investigations into questionable flood control projects.
“We wish Sec. Vince Dizon well and pray for his success as he takes on the formidable task of leading the Department of Public Works and Highways. The challenges before him are immense—but so is the opportunity to institute long-overdue reforms in the agency,” Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said.
Escudero said Dizon’s ‘hands-on approach and fresh perspective” will serve him well in confronting the deeply entrenched problems that have long plagued the DPWH.
“Rooting out corruption is just the first step, because equally important is ensuring that all DPWH projects serve their purpose and truly improve the lives of our countrymen,” he said.
“The Senate stands ready to support the reforms Sec. Dizon will pursue to ensure that public works are delivered efficiently, transparently, with full accountability and in the service of the Filipino people,” Escudero added.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also welcomed Dizon’s appointment but warned he will be “facing a very challenging & daunting task of restoring faith of the public in the scandal ridden DPWH.”
“I wish him well & all the luck because he would need lots of it maybe even a miracle to turn around the embattled Department!"” Ejercito said.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who earlier exposed the depth of corruption involved in the government’s flood control projects, said the President made both a hard decision and a good choice in Dizon to replace a beleaguered DPWH secretary.
“I have watched and followed Vince Dizon’s indefatigable, almost daily effort to solve the numerous problems that beset the transportation sector. I can only wish him Godspeed and more importantly, good health,” Lacson said.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Dizon is a “very good choice!” as “He's an action man and a man of integrity.”
“I'm very confident that he will get the job done without corruption. But the first order of business is to put corrupt officials and contractors in jail. This will bring back the confidence of the people to DPWH,” Gatchalian said.