Five or six regional directors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) face the ax because of poor performance, perceived corruption, and ineligibility to assume the post in the first place.

Although Malacañang has extended until October 31 the services of non-career government officials occupying career positions to ensure continuity of public service, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson is issuing the walking papers of at least five regional directors as part of the ongoing reshuffle.

Singson said he has sent to Malacañang the list of 16 DPWH regional directors nationwide for assessment and final approval.

But Singson hinted that there is a possibility that “one-third (five or six) regional directors would no longer be given assignments.”

Singson said a look at the qualifications of the five or six regional directors show they are not Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) status-holders. Under the law, regional directors should be CESO-eligible.

Their questionable qualification is compounded by the fact that they are also non-performing assets within the department. A study of their performance showed that the areas they cover are bugged by poor collection.

Still, Singson said the regional directors will stay in their posts in the meantime, until he receives from Malacañang the final appointment papers and new assignment of the officials.

Singson said he might have to appoint officers-in-charge (OICs) who would take over the vacant posts in the eventuality that Malacañang fails to submit a reply.

He said the revamp at DPWH is part of his new policy directions of cleaning the agency of corrupt and non-performing officials. “It cannot be business as usual. We want to shape up the organization,” Singson added.

As for the 175 DPWH's district engineers, he said that he would need more time to assess them, including the department's undersecretaries and assistant secretaries whose performance records are under evaluation.

He said reshuffling the officials aims to prevent collusion among the DPWH officials and the contractors and the politicians.