Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon pledged improved opportunities and timely salaries for the agency’s Job Order employees during the flag-raising ceremony at the DPWH Central Office Monday morning.

"I spoke with our HR and was informed that there are almost two thousand vacant positions," Dizon said.

Data show that 1,993 positions, including engineering roles, remain unfilled in the agency, which has faced controversies in recent years.

Dizon clarified that filling these vacancies will prioritize Job Order employees.

"I want to promote and elevate [employees], first let's elevate the deserving, honest, hardworking people already within DPWH, including our job order employees," he expressed.

"Just because you have been on job orders for a long time doesn't mean you don't have the right and opportunity to move up," he added.

No delay

Addressing salary delays, Dizon vowed, "Salaries cannot be delayed."

He promised the agency will pay Job Order employees within seven days.

"Within seven days from the cutoff, all salaries will be paid, nothing more, nothing less," he said.

Recalling his time as secretary of the Department of Tourism, Dizon acknowledged facing similar challenges early in his term.