MANILA—Newly appointed Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the courtesy resignation of all officials in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), from undersecretaries down to district engineers.

Dizon announced the directive during a Palace press briefing, saying it was issued upon the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following reports of irregularities and anomalous projects within the department.

“Ang unang-una ko pong order na ilalabas ay ang pag-order ng courtesy resignations top to bottom: usec, asec, division head, regional director, hanggang district engineer ng buong bansa,” Dizon said.

“Iyan po ang unang-unang direktiba ng ating Pangulo. Nag-usap po kami nang matagal kaning umaga at ang sabi niya ‘linisin’ ang DPWH at ito po ang simula,” he added.

Dizon officially assumed his post as DPWH chief on Monday morning after taking his oath before President Marcos, succeeding former secretary Manuel Bonoan.

He said the resignations will be followed by a thorough personnel review to determine individuals who will be retained or appointed to sensitive positions.

“Ako po ay naniniwala na maraming mabubuti at magagaling na kawani ng DPWH. Ang utos ng ating Pangulo hanapin sila at sila ang ilagay sa mga sensitibo at importanteng posisyon,” Dizon said.

The new secretary stressed the need for accountability in light of so-called “ghost projects,” which he said could not have materialized without involvement or negligence from within the agency.

“Hindi po magkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng proyekto kung walang kakuntsaba sa loob ng DPWH,” he said.

Dizon cited as an example President Marcos’ recent visit to Calumpit, Bulacan, where the Chief Executive uncovered a non-existent flood control project. Despite the absence of the project, a contractor had already been paid, he noted.

“Papaano po nabayaran kung isang proyekto na guni-guni lang, na wala naman talaga? Mayroon po sa DPWH na nagpabayad doon,” he said.

“Ang utos ng ating Pangulo hanapin ‘yung mga ‘yun at tanggalin sa puwesto at kasuhan. Iyon po ang unang gagawin natin sa mga susunod na araw, susunod na linggo,” he added.

Dizon acknowledged the difficulty of the task but emphasized the need for decisive reforms within the department.

“Hindi po ito madali para sa isang taong tulad ko na matagal ng nagtrabaho sa gobyerno. Pero kailangan po siyang gawin dahil nakita po natin, nakita po ng ating Pangulo, nakita nating lahat ang mga nangyari dito sa ahensiyang ito,” he said.