Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Vince Dizon is returning to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The move came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered Dizon to address daily commuting problems, reduce queues at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and accelerate major mass transportation projects.
The reassignment was announced Monday by Presidential Communications Office Secretary Lino Cayetano during a Palace media briefing. Dizon previously headed the DOTr before moving to the DPWH in September 2025.
His return comes as the administration seeks to improve transport services and make government transactions more efficient, particularly for commuters who regularly contend with long travel times and delays in accessing public services.
Dizon has also been instructed to eliminate fixers and speed up critical mass transportation projects, putting the focus on both everyday commuter concerns and longer-term improvements to the country’s transport infrastructure.
As he returns to the transportation department, DOTr secretary Giovanni Lopez will take over the DPWH, where he is expected to institutionalize reforms, strengthen safeguards and accelerate the construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. Lopez, a lawyer and certified public accountant, assumes leadership of the department as it remains under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects.
Marcos appointed Dizon to lead the DPWH following the resignation of former secretary Manuel Bonoan, who took command responsibility for problems that surfaced during his tenure. The flood-control controversy has involved allegations of overpriced and substandard projects. In August, Dizon said the review of thousands of flood-control projects remained ongoing, with law enforcement agencies involved in the process.
Projects found to have potential irregularities could be referred for fact-finding and possible cases before the Office of the Ombudsman. Under Lopez, the DPWH is expected to embed reforms in its rules, processes and systems so they can endure beyond the current administration, while ensuring infrastructure projects continue moving forward.
Marcos said the changes were intended to improve government services and sustain reforms across both departments. Cayetano added that the administration’s objective remained a government that delivers services faster and makes life easier for Filipinos.
Autocar’s Take
Moving Vince Dizon back to the DOTr puts the spotlight on a problem Filipinos experience every day: commuting remains a major test of government efficiency. Shorter LTO queues, fewer fixers and faster mass transportation projects are worthwhile goals, but the public needs to see measurable improvements, not just new leadership.
At the DPWH, Giovanni Lopez faces a different challenge. Restoring confidence amid the flood-control controversy will require transparent investigations, stronger safeguards and accountability for proven irregularities. Ultimately, this government reshuffle should be judged by results: better transport services, credible infrastructure reforms and public money spent responsibly.
