As part of its ongoing internal cleanup, the Department of Public Works and Highways has opened 2,000 vacant positions in its district and regional offices, Secretary Vince Dizon said.

Dizon said the vacancies are being opened as the department prioritizes internal candidates to fill key posts, particularly those who have demonstrated integrity and competence.

“Our priority in filling up the different vacant positions are DPWH insiders. I want to promote first those who are deserving, honest and hardworking people who are already in the DPWH, including job order employees,” he said.

The DPWH chief also renewed his call for young Filipinos, especially newly licensed engineers and fresh graduates, to apply and help address corruption within the agency.

The appeal was issued during a job fair that drew more than 300 student applicants, where Dizon described the recruitment drive as a “golden opportunity” for young engineers to be “part of the solution.”

"Because that’s what we need. We need more people to join us and try to solve all these problems," he said.

“But we need you. We need to remove the rotten eggs and we need to bring in fresh blood."

The job fair initiative is in line with a directive from Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who earlier ordered the DPWH to recruit young professionals to help clean up the department’s ranks.

After launching the job fair at Mapúa University, the DPWH said similar activities are scheduled at Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Dizon said sweeping leadership changes are also underway, with 12 of 17 regional directors replaced as part of reforms aimed at curbing corruption in the agency.

New regional directors and assistant regional directors have been designated in several regions, including the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Caraga, the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Negros Island Region.

Additional assistant regional directors were appointed in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the Davao Region, among others.

Dizon said regional offices play a crucial role in ensuring that flood control projects and other infrastructure developments comply with procurement rules, approved specifications and structural plans.

The DPWH chief also announced the relief of four regional directors, two assistant regional directors and two district engineers as part of the reform push.