DPWH MOURNS PASSING OF EX-UNDERSECRETARY CABRAL

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral, who dedicated more than four decades of service to the agency.

- By TRIXEE ROSEL

She was 63.In a statement, the DPWH extended its condolences to Cabral’s family and requested 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 near 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.