Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan implemented personnel movement affecting officials in the district and regional offices being investigated on alleged anomalies in the flood control projects.

DPWH chief directive affects regional director of Region 4B, as well as the Regional Office of Assistant District Engineers and section chiefs of Batangas 1st District Engineering Office, including the pi9following officials:

• Engr. Vivian Biaco was named Officer-in-Charge of the District Engineer’s Office in Catanduanes, Region V, replacing Engr. Simon Arias.
• Engr. Leonardo Gonzales was reassigned as Assistant District Engineer for Albay 2nd District, vice Engr. Joanne Morales.
• Engr. Joanne Morales moved to Albay 3rd District as Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Assistant District Engineer, vice Engr. Gonzales.
• Engr. Editha Babaran was designated Officer-in-Charge of the Regional Director’s Office for Region IV-B, replacing Engr. Gerald Pacanan, who was reassigned to the central office.
• Engr. Ronalyn Ubiña took over as Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Regional Director for Region II, vice Engr. Babaran.

The reassignments are part of the agency’s ongoing organizational adjustments meant to ensure impartiality and effectiveness in project delivery, according to the DPWH.

The agency cited its authority under Executive Order No. 124, series of 1987, which empowers the Secretary of Public Works and Highways to designate officers-in-charge and reassign personnel “in the interest of service and good governance.”

Bonoan said we want to hold accountable those who should be held accountable, to imprison those who should be imprisoned. In fact, we have already taken several actions to address various issues.

The agency is also currently validating the existence of flood control projects in Bulacan and other provinces in Regions 3, 4B, 6, 7, and 8.

Prior to this, the department already formed an Anti-Corruption Task Force to encourage the public to report questionable projects of the DPWH.

It has also issued preventive suspension of the district offices involved in ghost projects, including the Bulacan First District Engineering Office, from its District Engineer, Assistant District Engineer and section chiefs; and the District Engineer of the Batangas 1st District Engineering Office who allegedly tried to bribe Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.

Amid calls for him to resign, Bonoan, in the video message, said it is not the proper approach to address the alleged corruption within the DPWH.