Dizon acknowledges ‘turo’ criticisms, looks forward to more inspections

MANILA, Philippines — It seems that the public will be seeing more project inspections from the heads of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation, as DOTr Sec. Vince Dizon acknowledged the criticisms he got for doing so.

As Dizon bids farewell to the DPWH and returns to DOTr, he said he and new DPWH chief Giovanni Lopez will conduct joint inspections in the coming weeks and months.

“I think you will be seeing the two of us together jointly going around inspecting projects kasi marami akong ipapasa sa kanya, marami rin siyang ipapasa sa akin,” Dizon said in a press conference.

(I think you will be seeing the two of us together jointly going around inspecting projects because we have a lot of projects to turn over to each other.)

Dizon’s tone then shifted playfully when he acknowledged the “turo” (point) he got from his critics whenever he conducted inspections.

READ: BIZ BUSS: ‘Sec. Turo’ out to reclaim old throne

“Alam ko marami sa mga media, marami sa mga komentarista, lagi kaming kini-criticize na turo daw kami nang turo. ’Wag kayong mag-alala, turo pa rin kami nang turo hanggang ngayon kahit DOTr na ako at DPWH na siya,” Dizon said, which earned laughs from the crowd.

(I know that many of those in the media [industry], columnists, always criticize us for always pointing out [in inspections]. Don’t worry, we will still be doing that now that I am back in DOTr and he will be in DPWH.)

The two secretaries regularly conducted inspections of infrastructure projects and public transportation before their leadership revamps.

Dizon also shared that the two of them did not have a hard time accepting their new leadership roles, emphasizing that he already worked with Lopez in the past.

READ: Dizon to Lopez: Your turn to get rid of corrupt DPWH personnel

“Madali yung conversation. Madali at magaan para sa aming dalawa. ’Yung coordination, ’di pwedeng mawala. Ang dami naming kailangan gawin, which we have been doing since last year. Pero mas lalo ngayon,” he added.

(The conversation was easy and light for both of us. The coordination must always be there. We need to do a lot of things that we have been doing since last year.) /cb