Dizon, Lopez: Minimal personnel changes

MANILA, Philippines —  To maintain momentum, returning Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and incoming Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez vowed that personnel movement in their respective departments will be kept to a bare minimum.

Dizon said he will not bring Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) DPWH personnel over to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and vowed to keep existing technical teams intact to preserve continuity.

Lopez agreed, stating that major personnel overhauls at this juncture would be counterproductive to the administration’s targets.

“The President’s instruction is for us to continue each agency’s respective projects and accelerate them. Any major structural changes at this point would be quite counterproductive,” Lopez said.

Dizon and Lopez said they would soon conduct joint site inspections, including newly rehabilitated facilities such as the Siargao Airport terminal ahead of a major international surfing event next week.

‘Focus on work’

Dizon and Lopez vowed faster implementation of key infrastructure projects during a joint press conference at the DPWH Multipurpose Hall yesterday.

Dizon downplayed concerns that the Cabinet position swap ordered by President Marcos would derail ongoing structural and system upgrades in both infrastructure agencies.

“It will even be faster, because first of all, Sec. Banoy (Lopez) is more capable than I am. He truly understands the systems,” Dizon said, noting that the root issues plaguing the public works department are fundamentally structural rather than isolated individual wrongdoings.

Dizon cautioned those expecting a relaxed regime at the DPWH under a new chief.

He warned the DPWH staff about his successor’s work ethic, noting that Lopez wakes up even earlier than he does to send work message.

Dizon urged department officials and the public to move past political gossip and focus on addressing national issues.

Lopez said the job swap between him and Dizon was a surprise to him, but stressed that he did not dare question the President’s move.

“I did not ask why,” Lopez said.

Airport, rail upgrades

Lopez expressed confidence that Dizon would push the envelope in his return to the DOTr, which is set to finish airport and railway upgrades before the end of the Marcos administration in 2028.

Lopez wants to see Dizon finish the new passenger terminal building of the Sayak Airport in Siargao to expand its seating capacity to 750.

Lopez said Dizon must keep up the pressure in building the Central Mindanao Airport in Cotabato. The project, after several delays, aims to improve trade and tourism in the central provinces of Mindanao.

Lopez also asked Dizon to hold San Miguel Corp. (SMC) accountable to its promise of partially operating the MRT-7 next year. – Elijah Felice Rosales, Josiah Antonio