Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Acting Secretary Roger Mercado, together with officials and employees of the DPWH nationwide, led the simultaneous celebration of the Department’s 124th Anniversary with the theme “DPWH @ 124: Road from Recovery to Prosperity”.
A thanksgiving mass was held at the DPWH Central Office in Port Area, Manila.
To celebrate the milestone, compulsory retirees and employees who have been with the Department for 40 years were recognized through an awarding ceremony.
Co-terminus key officials were given a Plaque of Appreciation in recognition of their invaluable service to the Department.
This year’s DPWH anniversary highlighted agency achievements in the last six years under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Administration, especially its significant role in the recovery efforts during the pandemic.
“We continued to bravely build, build, and build, even in the midst of the deathly threat of the pandemic.”
“Today, we and our work are testaments to how far we have contributed to the noble task of nation-building. We continued to bravely build, build, and build, even in the midst of the deathly threat of the pandemic,” Mercado said.
From July 2016 to May 2022, DPWH has constructed, maintained, widened, and improved a total of 40,080 kilometers of national roads, 6,854 national bridges, and 13,917 flood-control projects.
The accomplishments would not be possible without the sacrifice and dedication of the hardworking men and women of the Department whose unflinching heart to serve raised the bar of good governance and public service delivery.
“Let us be reminded that DPWH has always been at the forefront of government response and recovery efforts, ignoring the risk to our own lives to save our countrymen,” the public works chief stressed.
In every major calamity and disasters like Yolanda, Odette, Mayon Volcano, Mt. Pinatubo, Ormoc, and Guinsaugon, the DPWH men and women were always there at the front lines 24/7, clearing the debris, repairing roads and bridges, making it easier for victims to receive relief goods, and helping restore normalcy in the affected areas.
With a few remaining days left before the term of Duterte ends on June 30 along with his appointed Cabinet officials, the public works head said he is very much honored to have the opportunity to lead DPWH and contribute to the legacy of service of the Department.
“This organization will outlive us.”
“This organization will outlive us. Our task, your task, is to make it stronger, more relevant, more innovative, more efficient, and more effective as it continues to blaze new roads, and bridges, and launch more projects in the days and years ahead,” he concluded.
