“His decisive actions and firm commitment to good governance have set a new standard for public service”
President Marcos Jr.’s decision to transfer Secretary Vince Dizon from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Public Works and Highways was not unexpected at all. We got an inkling of this after an item in another paper hinted at the possible removal of then Transportation Secretary Manuel Bonoan after the Chief Executive revealed massive corruption behind substandard and ghost public works projects throughout the country.
Our suspicion that the end of Bonoan’s three-year stint at the DPWH was just a matter of time was the online video that showed the President inspecting a failed flood control project in Bulacan, if we’re not mistaken, in the company of Dizon, then still the DOTr Secretary. Why would the President bring along the then Transportation Secretary instead of Bonoan in the inspection of a public works project, we wondered.
The answer came a few days later, when news headlines announced that Bonoan had resigned, and Dizon was his replacement at the helm of the agency.
Dizon, in his brief tenure as DOTr chief, demonstrated a unique brand of leadership characterized by swift, decisive action and achievements that not only showcased his effectiveness but also set a new standard for public service.
Dizon’s action-oriented approach and his no-nonsense style of leadership was evident in his efforts to modernize the country’s public transport system, including the implementation of cashless payments, enhancing commuter convenience, and optimizing the use of modern technologies.
The list of Dizon’s achievements at the DOTr is longer than the period he stayed at the top of a department that was not only crucial to our economic development but one that also needed a brand of leadership that wasted no time in doing what’s best for the Filipino people.
Under Dizon’s leadership, the DOTr became a model of efficiency and effectiveness. His achievements include the introduction of trains made in China by Dalian, which doubled passenger capacity, and the start of construction of an international airport to boost tourism in Boracay.
At the relief preparation site for folks reeling from recent typhoons, Dizon made it clear that the mission was not just to bring assistance to people but make their lives less difficult and bring them hope for the future.
His tenure at the DOTr was marked by several other actions, including the suspension of the controversial PUV modernization program for further study, the reduction of fares for students, PWDs, and seniors on Metro rails, and the abolition of the luggage weight limit on Metro trains.
Under Dizon, what happened at the DOTr is nothing short of awe-inspiring but also serves as the perfect model for how government offices should function.
It’s not surprising therefore that the Chief Executive, in anger and exasperation over the massive plunder of public funds in anomalous flood control projects, turned to the youngest member of his Cabinet who not only brought fresh leadership but also quick and decisive action.
Dizon’s transfer to the DPWH by the President was a brilliant move aimed at leveraging his proven leadership skills and decisive action to address the issues plaguing the department.
His first order of business was to ask for the resignation of ranking DPWH officials. Later, he also halted an internal investigation by DPWH officials themselves of anomalies in the agency. These amply demonstrated his commitment to transparency and accountability.
Dizon’s appointment as DPWH Secretary has brought a renewed sense of hope for good governance and a departure from the corruption that has tainted the agency’s image. His decisive actions and firm commitment to good governance have set a new standard for public service. But he needs all the support he can get from other government agencies and most important of all, from the Filipino people.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
