Manuel Bonoan has resigned as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), effective September 1, the Presidential Communications Office announced Sunday. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. accepted the resignation and appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon as the new DPWH secretary, tasking him with conducting a full organizational review of the department.
Bonoan’s resignation comes amid ongoing investigations into flood control projects. During his July State of the Nation Address, President Marcos directed the DPWH to submit a list of flood control projects started or completed in the last three years.
Just a day before his resignation, Bonoan stated he would not abandon his responsibility to investigate alleged corruption involving substandard or missing flood control projects. He said he is willing to be held accountable for irregularities but would not tolerate corruption.
Acknowledging calls for his resignation, Bonoan said, “It would be easy to do but that I would be turning my back on the problem in the department he leads.”
