Dizon denies 2028 bid, says frequent inspections needed to finish projects

MANILA — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday again dismissed speculation that he would run for office in 2028.

During a forum hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines, Dizon said his frequent inspections, similar to those conducted by Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, were not for publicity or campaigning, but to ensure that long-delayed infrastructure projects are completed.

“Kami ni Sec. Banoy, hindi naman kami politiko e. Itaga niyo sa bato, you will never see us on the ballot,” he said.

Dizon said department heads need to personally inspect ongoing projects, citing what he described as a lack of urgency among local DPWH officials and some attached agencies of the DOTr.

“The culture of these departments, unfortunately, is really a culture of just leaving things as they are. There is zero sense of urgency in these departments. A district engineer sees an unfinished road, balewala. An unfinished bridge, balewala. They don’t care,” he said.

“But if the Secretary himself goes there and says ‘Hey, hindi pupwede ‘to. Kailangan ‘to, may timeline. Kailangan kayo, may quality control. Kailangan kayo, on budget. Not to mention pag nagnakaw kayo, kulong kayo, gaya ng iba niyong kasamahan na nasa Payatas na ngayon.’ Kung hindi namin gagawin yun, hindi magbabago,” Dizon added.

He said he has also seen how quickly projects could be completed under strict monitoring.

“Pag pinukpok namin sila— 6 months, natatapos. Forty-five days, natatapos,” he said.

Dizon has repeatedly said the DPWH’s priority is to complete unfinished projects across the country before starting new ones.

In line with this, he said he pushed for multi-year project contracts under the proposed 2027 budget to ensure continuity of funding for ongoing infrastructure projects.

“This was our first post-flood control budget… What we want as a policy is basta ongoing na yan, automatic may appropriation na yan. If it can be built in two, three years, then the appropriation must be for two to three years,” he explained.

Dizon said this would prevent projects from being abandoned when government officials change.

“Common sense, but unfortunately not very common in government. That has never been done in DPWH. They will start it, then when the congressman or the secretary or the governor changes, they will forget about it. It’s crazy. And that’s why you see projects all over the country na hindi natatapos,” he added.

Dizon also said the DPWH now requires proper documentation, including programs of work and local government approvals, before projects can be included in the proposed budget.