Screengrab from RTVM

Barely hours into his post as the new Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Vince Dizon wasted no time in making bold moves against corruption and inefficiency. His first directive: a lifetime ban on contractors behind failed or substandard projects.

The order comes in the wake of the sudden and severe flooding in Quezon City over the weekend, an incident that Dizon said highlights the deep-rooted problems in flood control projects and the alleged collusion within DPWH.

“This will no longer be tolerated. If a project is proven to be ghost or substandard, there will be no lengthy investigations. The contractor will be blacklisted for life,” Dizon declared, adding that the President himself has directed the agency to cleanse its ranks of corrupt practices.

In line with this, Dizon also demanded the courtesy resignation of all DPWH officials—from undersecretaries down to district engineers. He stressed that the agency needs honest and competent people in sensitive positions to ensure public works serve the people, not private interests.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed confidence in Dizon’s leadership, recalling his performance as Transportation Secretary. “He’s done a very good job at the DOTR, and he’s already familiar with DPWH. I think he’s the right person to push the reforms we need,” the President said.

Malacañang, meanwhile, is drafting an executive order to establish an independent commission that will oversee corruption cases in public works. The proposed body may include forensic investigators, prosecutors, lawyers, and even justices to ensure transparency and accountability in handling anomalies.

Dizon’s uncompromising stance signals a new chapter for DPWH, long plagued by controversies over ghost projects and substandard infrastructure. Whether this shake-up will finally bring lasting reforms remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the new secretary is setting the tone for a tougher fight against corruption from day one.