Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Workers under the hot sun conduct road repair along San Andres St. in Manila on July 6, 2023. The previous day recorded the hottest global average temperature for the second day in a row according to data compiled by an organisation attached to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>PAMPANGA — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Saturday announced plans to revive the Department of Public Works and Highways’ cadet engineering program to produce the best and the brightest civil engineers in the country.</p><p>Dizon announced the development to reporters during his meeting with former DPWH secretaries Rogelio “Babes” Singson and Ping de Jesus.</p><p>Dizon said reviving the program is one way to “boost the morale” of those doing their jobs efficiently in the agency.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/11/dizon-suspends-uniform-policy-for-dpwh-employees-amid-alleged-harassment-0747"><strong>Dizon suspends uniform policy for DPWH employees amid alleged harassment </strong></a></div><p>“Kahit na wala kang padrino, kakilalang opisyal, governor, congressman, mayor, secretary, kung magaling ka, puwede kang umangat. Kailangan malaman yun ng mga kasamahan natin,” he said.</p><p>(Even if you don&#x27;t have a backer or connections, if you are good, you can advance. Our colleagues should know that)</p><p>Singson said engineers would undergo promotional examinations for higher engineering positions in the agency across the country — veering away from the “padrino” or patronage system. </p><p>“Those who feel they qualify [may] apply and then go to a promotional test,” he said. </p><p>Singson said the cadet program had been derailed in recent years because the department allowed &quot;outsiders&quot; to get the slots for promotions. </p><p>The Cadet Engineering Program began in 2013 during Singson’s stint as DPWH secretary. The program set new entry standards for the profession, with the agency investing in top engineering graduates.</p><p>According to DPWH’s website, the program also involves classroom studies, field immersions, and leadership and public service workshops. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/-padrino-system-in-entering-government-service-cannot-be-denied-csc-chair-2019"><strong>&#x27;Padrino&#x27; system in entering government service cannot be denied: CSC chair</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>YOUNG ENGINEERS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM</strong></div><p>Dizon also stressed the importance of the Young Engineers Recruitment Program, where the government hires young engineers and offers them competitive salaries. </p><p>“That was one of the best features, it is the younger ones who inspect the quality of the projects before it is turned over to DPWH for payment,” said de Jesus, one of the DPWH chiefs who implemented the program. </p><p>“If they find out it is substandard, then the contractor who did it was compelled to fix it at his own expense,” he added.</p>

<p>“Kahit na wala kang padrino, kakilalang opisyal, governor, congressman, mayor, secretary, kung magaling ka, puwede kang umangat. Kailangan malaman yun ng mga kasamahan natin,” Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said.</p>

“Kahit na wala kang padrino, kakilalang opisyal, governor, congressman, mayor, secretary, kung magaling ka, puwede kang umangat. Kailangan malaman yun ng mga kasamahan natin,” Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said.

Dizon says DPWH reviving cadet program to recruit, promote best engineers

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Dizon says DPWH reviving cadet program to recruit, promote best engineers

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 18, 2025 02:27 PM PHT

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Vince Dizon

Department of Public Works and Highways

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