DPWH starts execs shake up

LEGAZPI CITY --- Amid reports of alleged low performance rating obtained by the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways based in this city, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar has been reported to have begun the “changing of the guards” among the various positions in both the regional and district offices of the public works department in the region.

Reports have it that District Engineer Walter Lubiano of the Masbate 3rd District Engineering

Office based in Ticao, Masbate has been promoted to Assistant Regional Director, while the regional office’s Assistant Maintenance Engineering head Edwin Bermal has been designated as acting district engineer of Camarines Norte.

Bermal succeeded District Engineer Ricardo Gutierrez who is temporarily assigned at the regional office in Legazpi, while District Engineer Salome Sardillo of Bukidnon 2nd District Engineering Office has been reassigned at the Albay 3rd District Engineering Office based in Ligao City, vice Engr. Edna Minez who had reached her mandatory retirement age.

Bicol Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte could not be contacted for comment, but his Assistant Regional Director Esmeraldo Sarmiento confirmed the recent appointment of Lubiano to Director III, and the designations of Bermal and Sardillo as district engineers for Camarines Norte and Albay 3rd District Engineering Office.

Sarmiento said that Director Eduarte has designated the region’s Inspectorate head Arnel Samson as Bermal’s successor.

Documents obtained on Tuesday showed Special Order 140 dated Oct. 20 indicating the latest appointment of Bermal to the Camarines Norte District Engineering Office based in Daet, Camarines Norte.

Reports said that the once top performing DPWH Bicol regional office since 1980 to 2010 has slid down as the second lowest performing office based on a nationwide survey involving 17 regional offices and conducted in recent years.