Dizon to DPWH: 2,000 vacancies to be filled, no more salary delays
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will begin filling nearly 2,000 vacant positions, with some to be filled through the promotion of “deserving” employees, Secretary Vince Dizon announced Monday.
Speaking at the agency’s flag ceremony on October 20, Dizon said the hiring push will prioritize contractual or "job order": personnel, many of whom have served for years on short-term contracts.
“Gusto ko pong magpromote at mag-angat, unang una, i-angat muna natin ang mga deserving, honest, hard-working people already in DPWH — kasama na po ang mga job order employees natin ngayon,” he said.. (I want to promote, first and foremost, we should elevate those who are deserving, honest, and hardworking people already in the DPWH — including our job order employees.)
He added that job order workers have the right and opportunity to move up, citing their long service despite limited benefits.
Many of the vacant posts, meanwhile, are for Engineer II to Engineer V positions, which carry salary grades 16 to 24, or a monthly pay ranging from P43,560 to P98,185.
According to the DPWH, applicants for Engineer II must have a relevant engineering degree and a board exam license, while higher positions require additional years of experience and training.
No more late salaries
As part of the agency’s reforms, Dizon also assured employees that salaries will no longer be delayed. He that Assistant Secretary Michael Villafranca has promised the disbursement of salaries within seven days from cutoff.
“Hindi po pupuwede nadedelay ang sweldo. … Kinausap ko na rin si Asec. Mike at ang kanyang pangako… [ay] within seven days from cutoff, lahat po ng sweldo ay mababayaran. Walang labis, walang kulang,” Dizon said. (Salaries can no longer be delayed. I’ve already spoken with Asec Mike, and he promised that within seven days from the cutoff, all salaries will be paid — no more, no less.)
The DPWH secretary said he will personally oversee the timely payment of salaries and urged employees to report any delays directly to him.
He warned that those responsible for late salary releases will be held accountable, reiterating a commitment he also made during his stint at the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Lahat po kayo eh bugbog sa trabaho, lalong lalo na yung mga nasa field, hindi po pupuwede hindi kayo sineswelduhan nang tama at on time,” Dizon added. (All of you are working so hard, especially those in the field. It’s not acceptable for you not to be paid correctly and on time.)
DPWH seeks ''fresh blood' engineers
The DPWH has been undergoing major changes in its leadership and its employees since several of its officials have been implicated in facilitating the alleged kickback scheme tied to government infrastructure projects, as well as rigging and manipulating bids.
While Dizon had said that district engineers proven to have colluded with private contractors will lose their jobs, he announced Monday the revival of the Cadet Engineering Program. The program began in 2013 under then-secretary Rogelio Singson, who now spearheads an independent government investigation into corruption of flood control funds.
The program aims to recruit and train newly licensed engineers, to make sure they rise up the ranks through merit, and not patronage.
The newly appointed Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Convergence and Technical Services, Lara Esquibil, was among the first batch of engineers under the 2013 Cadet Engineering Program. She previously headed the DPWH’s Bureau of Design.
Esquibil replaces Arrey Perez, who resigned last week after Rep. Leandro Leviste accused him of having connections with contractors. The lawmaker later walked back his statement, and said he was not referring to Perez.
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