Vince Dizon returns to DOTr, Giovanni Lopez takes over DPWH

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is sending Vince Dizon back to the Department of Transportation - Philippines and transferring Giovanni Lopez to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Malacañang announced Monday.

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Lino Cayetano said the swap aims to accelerate transport services and sustain reforms at the agency embroiled in a flood-control corruption controversy.

“We are shifting gears to accelerate reform. Secretary Dizon goes to DOTr to fix the daily commute. Secretary Lopez goes to DPWH to make sure the reforms there last,” Marcos said in a statement read by Cayetano during a Palace media briefing.

“Lahat ng ito, para lalong bumilis at gumaan ang serbisyo ng gobyerno para sa ating mga kababayan (All these are meant to make government services faster and easier for our people)," he added.

Dizon, who previously headed the DOTr before moving to the DPWH in September 2025, is directed to ease daily commutes, shorten queues at the Land Transportation Office, eliminate fixers, and accelerate critical mass transport projects.

Lopez, a lawyer and certified public accountant, will take over the DPWH with instructions to institutionalize reforms, strengthen safeguards, and speed up roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.

The change comes as the DPWH remains under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects.

Marcos appointed Dizon to lead the agency after the resignation of then-secretary Manuel Bonoan, who took command responsibility for the problems that surfaced under his watch.

The investigation has involved allegations of overpriced and substandard projects, while Dizon said in August that the review of thousands of flood-control projects was still ongoing with law enforcement agencies. Projects found to have irregularities could be referred for fact-finding and possible cases before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Palace said Lopez would work to embed reforms in rules, processes and systems that can outlast the current administration, while accelerating infrastructure delivery.

“The mission stays the same: a government that works faster, serves better and makes life easier for every Filipino,” Cayetano said.

Darryl John Esguerra/PNA