DPWH execs say no to overstayers

Middle-management officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) urged Secretary Simeon Datumanong yesterday to implement a long-standing policy of limiting the terms of field officials to not more than five years "to give way to other deserving and qualified engineers."

Such policy also aims to prevent fraternization among the district officials, government suppliers and contractors that often lead to substandard public infrastructure projects.

Based on available records, there are about 30 "overstaying" district engineers all over the country, serving an average of seven to eight years in their respective posts because of political backings which previous DPWH topmen declined or have conveniently forgotten to touch.

In Metro Manila, ranking officials said there are at least two "overstaying" district engineers who are both qualified for promotion but who opted to hold on because of the perks and privileges attached to the position. One is stationed in Manila while the other, south of Manila. In the past, the DPWH’s executive committee (EXCOM), the highest governing body, had approved the promotion of the metro engineers but they declined it.

It was a consensus among department officials that Datumanong, being a seasoned and a well-respected erstwhile politician, could persuade the lawmakers who have in the past "requested" for a status quo in the proposed reorganization of DPWH regional and district engineers.

DPWH-National Capital Region Director Salvador Pleyto earlier had recommended the promotion of these "overstaying" district engineers but to no avail due to political reasons.

Ranking officials said that "demoralization" is slowly creeping into the ranks of next-in-line field officials because of fear that they might reach the retirement age without being promoted as there are a lot of overstaying field officers.