The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has intensified its internal review as Central Visayas Regional Director Engr. Danilo Villa Jr. was officially relieved from his post on Monday, a directive issued by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
Villa’s removal is part of a broader shake-up targeting senior officials facing investigation over alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects nationwide.
Secretary Dizon said the relief of officials is necessary to safeguard ongoing probes, adding that specific details cannot yet be made public while investigations continue.
“We are going to be very, very strict. Gagawin nating mas matibay, mas malakas ang requirements at qualifications para sa mga opisyales ng department,” Dizon said.
The directive affects eight high-ranking DPWH officials nationwide, including four regional directors, two assistant regional directors, and two district engineers—all currently under scrutiny.
Dizon emphasized that the move reflects a stricter and more uncompromising approach to leadership within the department, with future appointments and promotions subject to tougher standards and closer review of qualifications and performance.
Villa, for his part, expressed respect for the DPWH leadership and said he would comply with the decision.
“Okay lang, let us obey first kung ano po yong instruction. The secretary has the wisdom and authority po kung ano ang tingin niya na makakabuti sa departmento natin,” Villa said in a phone interview.
He declined to comment further on his status or the specific allegations linked to the investigation.
Villa’s relief comes amid renewed national scrutiny over alleged anomalies in flood control projects, a matter that has followed his tenure in Central Visayas.
In past statements, Villa strongly denied claims of “ghost projects” in Region 7, asserting that flood control initiatives in Cebu and neighboring provinces were legitimate, visible, and verifiable.
Reports from DPWH field offices, he maintained, showed no irregularities affecting Central Visayas.
These issues gained public attention after the launch of the presidential complaints platform sumbongsapangulo.ph, which flagged Cebu as one of the provinces with a high number of flood control projects since 2022.
During a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan disclosed that Region 7 received more than P73 billion in infrastructure projects from 2022 to 2025, with a significant portion already completed.
Despite these figures, questions persisted, and Villa was again spotlighted in September 2025 when Secretary Dizon publicly named him among officials under investigation for alleged ghost or substandard projects.
Dizon also cited reports linking some DPWH officials to lavish lifestyles, including luxury travel and the use of chartered aircraft.
Villa assumed office as DPWH-7 regional director in July 2024, succeeding Engr. Ernesto Gregorio Jr., and had previously served as assistant regional director with key assignments in both Albay and Cebu.
