The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will immediately fill nearly 2,000 vacant positions nationwide as part of efforts to accelerate infrastructure services, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday.
During the flag raising ceremonies at the agency’s headquarters, Dizon said the job vacancies will provide opportunities for staff-level and job order employees to ‘advance’ in their careers within the government.
He said that current employees, especially those in the job order (JO) status, will be given priority consideration for the vacant positions.
‘We need to elevate deserving, honest, hardworking people here in DPWH, including job order employees. Just because you’ve been a JO for a very long time doesn’t mean you don’t have the right and opportunity to move up,’ Dizon said in Filipino. ‘You will be first in line for these nearly 2,000 vacancies all over the country.’
Job order employees, who typically work on a contractual basis without the benefits and security of regular government positions, have long advocated for regularization and career advancement opportunities within their respective agencies.
Dizon also promised to fix the disbursement of salaries and wages within the agency.
Furthermore, Dizon said that the agency will revive the Cadet Engineering Program, which was originally established by former Secretary Rogelio Singson in 2013.
He explained that the program’s return would be instrumental in encouraging young and newly graduated engineers to contribute to infrastructure development throughout the country.
‘This is excellent for bringing fresh blood into DPWH. new engineers who just passed, who are just starting to work. That’s why we’re reviving the Cadet Engineering Program,’ Dizon said.
The Cadet Engineering Program is designed to attract and train new engineering graduates, providing them with hands-on experience in public infrastructure projects.