DPWH finds it hard hiring qualified engineers, says Singson

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson on Thursday revealed the difficulty the department was facing was due to unqualified engineers within its ranks.

He said this during a hearing with the House committee on appropriations where the DPWH’s proposed funding for 2013 was being scrutinized, addressing a question posed by Occidental Mindoro Representative Amelita Villarosa on the promotion of DPWH engineers.

The lawmaker asked Singson about the lack of qualified engineers in the agency to which the DPWH chief replied “wala hong makapasa (sa exam), paano ba naman yan (no one passes the exam, what can we do?)”

He was referring to the agency’s 200-question exam necessary for promotion, covering technical, analytical and management engineering topics, out of which engineers should answer at least 100 items correctly. “Ipasa man lang sana ang technical—stock knowledge—and analytical (items). Kung sa technical ay tuturuan pa kita, baka dapat sa iba ka na pumunta (They should pass the technical—stock knowledge—and analytical items. If I have to teach you about the technical terms, go somewhere else).”

“I need to upgrade and professionalize the DPWH. Allow me to do my management role, kung wala kang analytical and technical (knowledge in engineering) maghanap ka na ng ibang trabaho,” said Singson.

He added that the examinees had three hours to answer the questions, ample time, he said.

To answer the agency’s issues with unqualified engineers, Singson said that they were about to launch a “cadetship program where we’ll try to hire honor graduates of engineering (courses).”

He said the DPWH cannot provide salaries comparable to those in the private sector but was offering good entry-level salaries of P24,000 to P26,000 for new graduates who will be accepted.

“But I need honor graduates,” clarified the DPWH secretary.