DPWH cleansing all set

Dizon to seek courtesy resignation of key execs | Ombudsman to probe flood control projects | Independent commission to investigate anomalies | DTI to overhaul contractor accreditation board

- TRIXEE ROSEL, ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, CZARINA NICOLE ONG-KI, and DEXTER BARRO II

Newly appointed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon revealed on Monday, Sept. 1, that he would issue a memorandum that will seek the submission of courtesy resignation of all ranking officials of the department amid allegations of anomalies in flood control projects.

In a Palace briefing, Dizon said the directive would cover undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, division heads, regional directors, and district engineers. Replacements are expected to be completed within 30 to 60 days to ensure uninterrupted operations.

As part of the cleansing process, President Marcos said Malacañang is finalizing an executive order to create an independent commission tasked with investigating anomalies at the DPWH, stressing that irregularities continue to be uncovered even in the proposed 2026 national budget.

The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has already created a special panel of investigators to investigate the reported anomalous flood control projects implemented by the DPWH and local government units (LGUS).

With some contractors emerging to have played a role in these anomalous flood control projects, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will undertake a major overhaul of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), which is responsible for accrediting contractors.

In seeking the courtesy resignation of key DPWH officials, Dizon, cited a non-existent flood-control project in Bulacan that was paid in full as the impetus for the planned action, saying erring officials would be removed and prosecuted.

Who authorized ghost project payment?

"How was a project that didn't even exist paid in full? There were people in the DPWH who authorized the payment. The President's order is to find them, remove them from their positions, and file charges," Dizon, who took his oath of office before President Marcos on Monday, said.