The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will kick off a mass recruitment campaign starting January, targeting young professionals to join the agency as part of ongoing reform efforts.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency’s future will depend on its new generation of officials.
“The future of DPWH will be in the fresh blood that will be injected in this agency. That is where the future will lie,” Dizon said during his year-end report conference on Thursday.
“Marami tayong gagawing reforma. Marami tayong gagawing pagbabago. Pero ang pinaka-importanteng resource ng kahit anong organisasyon ay yung mga tao,” he added.
Dizon stressed that the next generation of leaders—including Undersecretary Lara Esquibel and other newly appointed directors—will play a crucial role in determining whether the agency undergoes lasting reform.
The recruitment drive will include job fairs in major universities nationwide, such as the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, Mapua University, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of the East among others.
Dizon said DPWH will recruit engineers, accountants, and other professionals vital to strengthening the agency.
“We need fresh blood. We need young, dynamic, idealistic people to join DPWH. And you will be the ones to really turn the page and reform this institution from within. Not just in the next two years but in years to come. So that is our big push in January,” he stressed.
The agency plans to initially fill about 2,000 positions. The push comes amid ongoing suspensions and cases involving some DPWH officials, highlighting the urgent need for capable new personnel.
Career talks by senior officials, including Undersecretary Lara, are also planned to encourage students and young professionals to participate in DPWH’s reform efforts.
“We really want to find the best and the brightest out there and really bring in young blood and fresh blood, idealistic blood to the DPWH,” DIzon emphasized.
Through this massive recruitment campaign, DPWH hopes to ensure long-term institutional reform by cultivating a new generation of leaders committed to efficiency, transparency, and public service.
