DPWH abolition not being considered, focus on removing erring personnel - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang said the abolition of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is not in the pipeline, and that efforts are focused on weeding out erring personnel, an official said on Monday, Oct. 20.

In a Palace press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that while corruption allegations persist, there remain DPWH officials and employees who serve the public with integrity.

“Unang-una po, ang departamento, hindi po lahat ng mga nangangasiwa at hindi po lahat ng mga taong-gobyerno sa DPWH ay masasabi nating gumawa ng kamalian. May mga public servants pa rin po at public officials na masasabi nating tumutugon sa kanilang mga obligasyon,” Castro said.

[Translation: First of all, not everyone in the DPWH has committed wrongdoing. There are still public servants and officials who fulfill their duties responsibly.]

“Sa ngayon po ay hindi pa po naiisip kung dapat itong i-abolish dahil dapat ang tanggalin dito ay iyong mga gumagawa ng mali. Madali naman pong malaman kung sino-sino ito at sa tulong na rin po ni Secretary Vince (Dizon), matatanggal po ang dapat matanggal sa ahensiya,” she added.

[Translation: For now, there’s no plan to abolish it. What needs to be removed are those doing wrong, and with Secretary Vince Dizon’s help, those responsible will be removed from the agency.]

Castro made the statement following Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s proposal to abolish the DPWH and create a new department, citing the extent of corruption within the agency.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon earlier announced plans to open nearly 2,000 vacant positions to bring in new, qualified personnel.

Castro welcomed the move, saying it would help remove dishonest individuals and bring in competent, law-abiding public servants.

“Dahil nga sabi ni Sec. Vince ay maraming matatanggal … Warning na po ito sa mga papasok: dapat po kayo ay maging matino, dapat kayo ay may integridad, at dapat po talaga tumugon kayo kung ano ang naaayon sa batas at kung ano ang maitutulong sa taumbayan,” she said.

[Translation: Since Secretary Vince said many will be removed, this serves as a warning to those coming in — you must be upright, have integrity, and serve according to the law and for the good of the people.]