'Join us': DPWH seeks thousands of fresh hires in corruption cleanup

December 18, 2025 | 1:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to push reforms at an agency long caught in a massive corruption scandal, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced plans to launch a large-scale recruitment campaign across university campuses starting January 2026.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, December 18, Dizon said rebuilding the DPWH requires bringing in fresh blood to counter systemic corruption that has festered for years.

“To our schools, hopefully you can really help us recruit people and make people realize, especially the young generation, that it is important that they participate in this reform, and the best way to participate in this reform effort in DPWH—is to join DPWH,” Dizon said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Join us in this effort,” he added.

Dizon said the department plans to visit major universities, including the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and Ateneo de Manila University, among others. He said he also intends to personally join some of the campus visits.

2,000 positions to be filled

The DPWH needs about 2,000 new hires, Dizon said, adding that the openings are not limited to engineers but also include accountants and other professionals.

“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,” Dizon said.

He expressed hope that bringing in new personnel would help entrench reforms that would last beyond the remaining two years of the Marcos administration.

Agency-wide purge. Following Dizon’s appointment as DPWH secretary in September, the department implemented a top-to-bottom purge for a clean sweep. Officials from the undersecretary level down to district engineers were asked to submit courtesy resignations.

The DPWH has been at the center of multiple corruption scandals, with lawmakers, officials, and contractors accused of colluding in kickback schemes.

Such schemes have been reported in several areas, including Bulacan, Negros Oriental, and La Union, among others.