The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to embark on a major recruitment drive for engineers and accountants across the Philippines, starting in January 2026. This initiative is a central part of the agency's strategy to overhaul its operations and restore public trust following a significant corruption scandal.
A Nationwide Search for Fresh Talent
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon revealed the plan during a press conference held on Thursday, December 18, 2025. He emphasized that the agency will organize job fairs at top universities and colleges not only in Metro Manila but throughout the entire country.
Secretary Dizon specifically named several prestigious institutions, including the University of the Philippines (UP), University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, Mapua University, Far Eastern University (FEU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and the University of the East (UE). He stressed that the search for new talent would extend to various regions nationwide.
Injecting "Fresh Blood" for Lasting Change
Dizon framed the massive hiring as a critical infusion of new perspectives and integrity into the department. He stated that the future and transformation of the DPWH hinge on this new generation of professionals.
"The most important resource of any organization is its people," Dizon said. He added that the changes in the agency's personnel and leadership will be the true measure of whether the DPWH reverts to old practices or achieves permanent, positive reform.
Background: A Drive for Reform After Scandal
This recruitment push comes at a crucial time for the embattled department. The DPWH has been under intense scrutiny due to the loss of billions of pesos in public funds linked to anomalous flood control projects.
The scandal has already led to the dismissal of dozens of engineers implicated in the irregularities. The new hiring initiative appears to be a direct response to both the personnel shortfall and the pressing need to rebuild the agency's culture and credibility from the ground up.
By targeting recent graduates from the country's leading academic institutions, the DPWH aims to bring in skilled individuals who can contribute to more transparent, efficient, and accountable infrastructure projects for the Filipino people.
