The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) marked its 127th founding anniversary on Monday, June 23, 2025 with a renewed commitment to nation-building, anchored on excellence, unity, and service under the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration’s “Build Better More” infrastructure initiative.
In his message during the celebration, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan emphasized that the occasion was not merely a commemoration of the agency’s 127 years of existence, but a celebration of its progress, purpose, and the people behind its achievements.
This is not just a celebration of how long we have been here — but of how far we have come, and how much further we must go together. It is a celebration of purpose, progress, and most of all, people — each and every DPWH employee who has devoted time, skill, and heart to the service of our nation”, said Secretary Bonoan.
He highlighted the Department’s workforce as its greatest strength, acknowledging engineers, planners, field staff, and support personnel as the driving force behind its accomplishments. He also cited DPWH’s continued ISO 9001:2015 recertification and recognition by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as hallmarks of its dedication to efficiency and service excellence.
With the anniversary theme “Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad para sa Bagong Pilipinas”, the event reaffirmed the Department’s role as a steadfast partner in national development.
The DPWH Chief underscored agency’s commitment to delivering infrastructure that promotes inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.
As part of the anniversary program, the Department honored high-performing regional and district engineering offices for exemplary service in 2024. Regional Office IV-B under Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan earned top honors as the most outstanding regional office, followed by Regional Office I headed by Regional Director Ronnel M. Tan and Regional Office IX under Regional Director Cayamombao D. Dia in second and third place, respectively.
At the district level, Palawan 3rd District Engineering Office (DEO) under District Engineer Amelia B. Fajardo topped the list among 197 district offices nationwide. Sultan Kudarat 1st DEO headed by District Engineer Alihar A. Mama and Negros Occidental 2nd DEO under District Engineer Marivic M. Roldan followed in second and third place.
The month-long celebration featured a mix of community-building and employee engagement activities, including a fun run, tree planting, a government service caravan, employees’ bazaar, Engineers’ Olympiad, golf-for-a-cause, and the Mr. and Ms. DPWH pageant — culminating in an Employees’ Night.
Bonoan expressed gratitude to the organizers, led by Undersecretary Marichu A. Palafox and the Social Affairs Committee, as well as regional and district officials nationwide.
Looking forward, Secretary Bonoan issued a strong call to action: “We must move faster, plan smarter, build stronger. Deliver with speed, serve with purpose, build with integrity, and lead with excellence.”
As the Marcos administration enters its second half, Secretary Bonoan called on all DPWH personnel to double down on their efforts, accelerate infrastructure delivery, and ensure that every project translates into real, lasting impact for the Filipino people.
“Let us move forward with renewed commitment — grounded in honesty, guided by integrity, and driven by service. The Filipino people are watching. The nation is counting on us.” Secretary Bonoan emphasized.