Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760926659765cropped-G3qmq0gXoAAivns.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">DPWH Chief Vince Dizon appoints Lara Inguito-Esquibil as the new Undersecretary for Convergence Projects and Technical Services, replacing Arrey Perez. Andrea Taguines, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span> MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday appointed Lara Esquibil as the new officer-in-charge Undersecretary for Convergence and Technical Services.</div><p>The 36-year old engineer used to head the DPWH&#x27;s Bureau of Design and comes from the first batch of graduates of the Cadet Engineering program started by former Public Works chief Rogelio &quot;Babes&quot; Singson.</p><p>The Cadet Engineering Program was aimed at recruiting the country&#x27;s top engineering graduates and training them further in preparation for higher positions in the DPWH. Singson earlier said the initiative got derailed in recent years because the department allowed &quot;outsiders&quot; to get the slots for promotions, but Dizon is now bringing it back.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/18/dizon-says-dpwh-reviving-cadet-program-to-recruit-promote-best-engineers-1427">READ: Dizon says DPWH reviving cadet program to recruit, promote best engineers</a></div><p>&quot;She has my full trust and confidence… 2013 siya po ay pumasok sa DPWH under the Cadet Engineering Program. I met her a few times but everybody who I talked to, kasama na rin si Sec. Babes Singson, has a lot of great words to say about this very, very young, dynamic, and professional lady,&quot; said Dizon during the flag-raising ceremony at the central office.</p><p>Esquibil replaces Arrey Perez, who quit on Friday after being accused of &quot;meeting&quot; with contractors by Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste.</p><p>Perez had described these as &quot;malicious insinuations,&quot; but said he resigned anyway so as not to divert the attention away from the anti-corruption efforts of the agency.</p><p>Dizon admitted that it took a lot of convincing on his part for Esquibil to take on the role amid what he previously described as &quot;a toxic environment&quot;, but he said he was glad she heeded the call.</p><p>&quot;Important (yung post) kasi andun ang convergence projects. Yung tech services, yung design, construction, monitoring, so very very important. I had a very very long conversation with Director Lara. Siyempre, natatakot siya, hindi lang dahil sa trabaho kundi pati dahil sa intriga, sa paninira. Sabi ko sa kanya wag kang mag-aalala, basta gawin mo lang ang tama, gawin mo ang nararapat, keep your integrity, and you will be okay, and we will always be behind you,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NEARLY 2,000 VACANT DPWH POSTS </strong></div><p>Dizon also announced that there are currently nearly 2,000 vacant plantilla positions up for grabs across the country, particularly in the regions.</p><p>And just like his decision to appoint Esquibil, Dizon said he will prioritize hiring and promoting long-time job order employees who had not been given the chance to climb the ranks before, as well as young, honest and hardworking engineers.</p><p>&quot;Hindi porket job order kayo nang napakatagal na panahon ay wala kayong karapatan at oportunidad na umangat. Kayo po ang uunahin natin… Kung ikaw ay masipag, kung ikaw ay magaling, kung ikaw ay hardworking, at most importantly kung ikaw ay honest, aangat ka sa departamentong ito,&quot; said Dizon.</p><p>He asserted that instituting meritocracy and eliminating the padrino system is a key part in cleaning up the DPWH.</p><p>&quot;Simulan na nating (magtalaga) nung talagang dapat na nandyan. Hindi dahil ito&#x27;y tao ni ganito, tao ni ganyan, inirekumenda ni ganito, nirekumenda ni ganyan, kundi kung sino ba talaga ang nararapat,&quot; he said.</p><p>Dizon also vowed to address constant delays in the release of salaries of job order employees.</p><p>&quot;Pag meron pang nag-reklamo sakin na nadedelay ang sweldo, may mga masesesante… Within 7 days from cutoff, lahat po ng sweldo ay mababayaran, walang labis, walang kulang. Yun po ang commitment ko sa inyo,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div></div>

<p>DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday appointed Lara Esquibil as the new officer-in-charge undersecretary for convergence and technical services.</p>

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday appointed Lara Esquibil as the new officer-in-charge undersecretary for convergence and technical services.

​DPWH chief Dizon names Lara Esquibil as OIC undersecretary

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​DPWH chief Dizon names Lara Esquibil as OIC undersecretary

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 20, 2025 09:00 AM PHT

|

Updated October 20, 2025 12:35 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

OIC

Usec

Lara Esquibil

Department of Public Works and Highways

Vince Dizon

Arrey Perez

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DPWH chief Dizon names Lara Esquibil as OIC undersecretary

DPWH chief Dizon names Lara Esquibil as OIC undersecretary