The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to revive its Cadet Engineering Program to recruit promising young engineers into the agency.

"This is very good so that we can revitalize the DPWH with fresh blood," DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said during Monday's flag-raising ceremony at the department's main office in Manila.

The program, which sets new entry standards for engineers, was established in 2013 by then-DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Through the program, Dizon said he was hoping to encourage young and new engineering graduates to join the agency and help construct and repair infrastructure projects across the country.

At present, there are 1,993 vacant engineering positions in the DPWH, the majority in the regional office, according to Dizon, who ordered the immediate hiring and promotion of personnel to fill up these vacancies.

Dizon said priority will be given to worthy employees in the department, including those under job order (JO).

"We must promote the deserving, honest, hardworking people here in DPWH, including job order employees," he said. "Just because you have been a JO for a long time, does not mean you do not have the right and opportunity to advance."

The order follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to allow staff-level and JO employees in the government to advance in their professions.

Dizon also promised contractual employees in the DPWH that they will receive their salaries within seven days after the cut-off date.

"I promised you that you will receive your salaries within seven days, it means that you may receive it earlier than seven days. I’ve already talked with the HR (Human Resource) about this," he said, in reaction to the complaints he received about the delays in the release of salaries of contractual employees. 

PNA PHOTO