Secretary Manuel Bonoan has formally assumed his role as head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He succeeded Acting Secretary, Roger Mercado.
Outgoing Acting Secretary Mercado handed over the DPWH flag symbolizing reins of the agency during a simple turnover ceremony held Friday, July 1, 2022 at the DPWH Central Office Multi-Purpose Hall in Port Area, Manila.
Secretary Bonoan’s appointment to DPWH is a homecoming of sorts. He has an extensive career as a public servant that started at DPWH as in 1966, spanning four (4) decades until his retirement in 2010 as Senior Undersecretary.
His practice as a professional civil engineer continued when he joined SMC Tollways Corporation and became of the top executives of the company which is engaged in the construction, management, and operation of the expressway network.
With all the qualifications and experiences as a professional civil engineer and wisdom that he has earned in his illustrious career in both public and private sectors, Secretary Bonoan was picked by President, Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. to lead the daunting task of completing unfinished flagship projects of the previous administration and push new infrastructure initiatives.
After the turnover ceremony, Secretary Bonoan immediately convened a meeting with the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Regional Directors, Bureau Directors, Service Directors, and Project Directors and laid out his policies and priorities.
“Let us work together, let us continue work as a team”, Secretary Bonoan told DPWH officials.