Students and graduates gained direct access to career opportunities in the public sector and infrastructure development during the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) nationwide campus job fair at the University of Southeastern Philippines here on Friday.

Secretary Vince Dizon, who led the launch of the Mindanao leg at the Obrero campus, said the DPWH needs young, hardworking, and honest employees to help change its culture, referring to corruption issues hounding the agency.

“We visited various state universities and colleges to attract new graduates. Some are young engineers, so we can bring new blood into the DPWH,” Dizon said in an interview.

The Davao leg is the fifth in the country and the first in Mindanao. Dizon said they need more than 2,000 employees.

“We are very happy. More than 150 applicants joined, most of them civil engineers,” he said.

He also shared the story of a civil engineering graduate from Davao, the son of a public utility vehicle driver, who has been working at the DPWH since December 2025.

Plantilla positions are being offered but those who are not yet board passers may be hired as contract of service employees.

“Once they pass the board exam, they can secure permanent positions,” Dizon said.

Meanwhile, Dizon and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. inspected the newly concreted road in Barangay New Casay, Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte.

“A one-kilometer stretch has already been completed. Travel time, which used to take an hour, has been reduced to 30 minutes, saving fuel costs,” Dizon said.

Construction is still in progress in other sections of the road.

“Our President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) directed us to fast-track these projects. One or two kilometers — we need to finish them quickly so our farmers can benefit,” he said. (PNA)