The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral, who served the agency for more than four decades, on Friday, Dec. 19. She was 63.

In a statement, the DPWH extended its condolences to Cabral’s family as it urged the public to respect their need for privacy.

“Undersecretary Cabral served the Department for more than 40 years, and her loss will be mourned throughout the organization. We recognize the profound loss the family is facing and offer our sincerest prayers,” the agency said in a statement.

Cabral passed away after being found unconscious and unresponsive in Bued River along Kennon Road in Benguet on Thursday night, Dec. 18.

Born on May 23, 1962, Cabral was a civil engineer by profession and began her career at the DPWH where she steadily rose through the ranks after over 40 years of public service to become undersecretary.

She later served as Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) where she oversaw infrastructure planning, programming, and the implementation of PPP projects involving national roads, bridges, and flood control systems.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and later completed doctorate degrees in business management and public administration. She also pursued a doctorate degree (PhD) in urban and regional planning, in addition to several master’s degrees and executive programs related to governance and public administration.

Cabral also represented the government on various boards including the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and was active in professional organizations.

She served as president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and later led the Road Engineering Association of the Philippines. In 2021, she held the Professorial Chair in Engineering Science and Technology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

She received several professional recognitions during her career including the Philippine Economic Zone Authority PEZA Galing Pinas Ecozone Partnership Award, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Outstanding Professional of the Year in Civil Engineering, and a citation from the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines as one of its Five Outstanding Filipinos for Government and Public Service.

Her death came amid the ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Cabral was among those mentioned during the investigation after fellow DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo linked her to the issue although she had vehemently denied the allegations.