MANILA (January 27) — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered a sweeping reshuffle across the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), reassigning or replacing top officials in 12 of the agency’s 17 regional offices as part of an intensified governance and accountability drive following investigations into alleged ghost flood control projects.
In appointment orders dated January 22, Dizon named 12 regional directors and 11 assistant regional directors to new posts, affecting more than two-thirds of DPWH’s regional leadership—one of the most extensive shakeups in the department’s recent history.
The National Capital Region was not included in the revamp, having already undergone a leadership change in October when Joel Limpengco, then Western Visayas regional director, was appointed DPWH-NCR regional director.
Regions flagged in investigations and lifestyle checks
Several of the reshuffles involved officials who were formally “reassigned”—a designation typically used to vacate sensitive posts while probes are ongoing, according to DPWH sources.
These include:
- Region 5 (Bicol) – Former regional director Virgilio Eduarte was reassigned amid reported investigation into alleged ghost flood control projects. He was replaced by Khadaffy Tanggol as OIC regional director.
- Region 1 (Ilocos) – Regional director Ronel Tan was reassigned after being implicated in the same controversy. Assistant regional director Richard Ragasa was elevated as OIC regional director.
- Region 4-A (Calabarzon) – Regional director Jovel Mendoza was declared reassigned and replaced by Carolina Pastrana as OIC.
- Region 7 (Central Visayas) – Former regional director Danilo Villa was replaced by Simon Arias as OIC amid reports that Villa is undergoing a lifestyle check.
Officials in these regions were not formally dismissed but were moved out of command positions, signaling continuing administrative and audit reviews.
Regions affected by routine succession or retirement
Other changes were attributed to retirements, administrative realignments, or interim succession, including:
- Region 3 (Central Luzon) – Appointment of Arnold Ocampo as OIC regional director following leadership transition after retirement.
- Region 4-B (Mimaropa) – Oscar dela Cruz appointed OIC following the reassignment of Editha Babaran to CAR.
- Region 6 (Western Visayas) / Negros Island Region – Jose Al Fruto and Denise Ayag swapped OIC posts as part of regional reorganization.
- Regions 9 and 12 (Zamboanga Peninsula / Soccsksargen) – Basir Ibrahim and Cayamombao Dia exchanged posts in a lateral reassignment.
- Region 13 (Caraga) – Sabiniano Caliao Jr. appointed OIC following the reported retirement of Alex Ramos.
Multiple assistant regional director posts were also filled due to retirements or earlier removals, with most appointees designated as officers in charge, indicating temporary placements pending further review.
Timeline: flood control controversy and leadership reset
The reshuffle follows months of controversy surrounding flood control projects, which have placed DPWH under heightened scrutiny:
- Mid-2024 – Audit findings and complaints surface alleging “ghost” or incomplete flood control projects in several regions.
- Late 2024 – Lifestyle checks ordered on selected DPWH regional officials; administrative reviews initiated.
- October 2025 – Leadership change implemented in DPWH-NCR as part of early corrective measures.
- December 2025 – Senior officials begin concurrent and interim appointments following retirements and removals.
- January 22, 2026 – Dizon orders the large-scale reshuffle of regional and assistant regional directors nationwide.
