EDITORIAL – New man at the DPWH

All he wanted was to keep just one job. That was the official reason given by Bayani Fernando for relinquishing his second post as secretary of public works and highways. Fernando issued the clarification amid reports of another reshuffle that would see former justice secretary Hernando Perez returning to the Cabinet. The rumor died as Malacañang announced that Undersecretary Florante Soriquez would be the new head – and not just in an acting capacity – of the Department of Public Works and Highways. That left no vacant seat for another game of musical chairs in the Cabinet.

Fernando, who wants to concentrate on his job as chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, held the DPWH post for a little over three months. Let’s hope Soriquez gets to keep the post a bit longer. Otherwise, reforms may never take hold in the DPWH, which is often rated in surveys as the most corrupt executive department. Before Fernando came in, a multimillion-peso scam had been uncovered involving vehicle repairs at the DPWH main office. Those were just vehicle repairs. How much is lost to corruption involving fat public works contracts?

Corruption has been blamed for DPWH inefficiency, substandard public works projects and a massive waste of public funds. This early, however, Soriquez’s appointment is already drawing flak, with critics saying he himself faces graft charges for the megadike scandal in Pampanga. Skeptics also wonder how much Soriquez can accomplish, with only a year before the general elections.

Can the new DPWH chief tackle corruption? Soriquez can still prove the skeptics wrong. He reportedly rose from the ranks in the department, starting as a laborer in 1962. With his experience he must have a good idea of what ails his department, including the ways of corruption and the reasons for inefficiency. With determination and the backing of Malacañang, Soriquez can still make a difference in his department.