In strong support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Build Better More program—a national initiative aimed at transforming the Philippines into a modern, inclusive, and disaster-resilient nation through world-class infrastructure—the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is intensifying its efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and leadership.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who oversees the implementation of key infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) mostly implemented by the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, emphasized that the successful delivery of complex and high-impact infrastructure projects requires a deep bench of skilled and visionary leaders.
Senior Undersecretary Sadain noted in his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan that the seamless and timely execution of IFP will be sustained through adequate and sustained financing support, continuous innovation, strategic technical partnerships, and the nurturing of future leaders equipped with both technical and managerial excellence.
Currently, the UPMO is implementing a wide array of transformative projects across the country that are at various stages of development. These include the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge, which will connect Central Luzon and CALABARZON via a marine bridge at the Manila Bay; Panay–Guimaras–Negros Island Bridges, to provide seamless inter-island connectivity in the Visayas; Davao City Bypass Construction Project, Samal Island–Davao City Connector Bridge, and Bucana Bridge to enhance traffic flow and improve mobility in the Davao Region; Dalton Pass East Alternative Road, providing a safer and more efficient alternative route to Cagayan Valley Regio. through mountainous terrain; Guicam Bridge in Zamboanga Sibugay, and part of the Mindanao connectivity push; Second San Juanico Bridge, reinforcing inter-island transport between Samar and Leyte; Cebu-Mactan 4th Bridge and Coastal Road Construction, aimed at easing congestion between Cebu City and Mactan Island while supporting the region’s tourism and business centers; Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, offering sustainable transport solutions around Laguna de Bay; and Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR-CCA) Project, addressing flooding and climate vulnerabilities in low-lying areas of Pampanga and Central Luzon.
To ensure long-term sustainability and leadership continuity in the implementation of these ambitious projects, the DPWH formally launched the Leadership Excellence for Advanced Development (LEAD) Program on April 23, 2025. This pioneering leadership development initiative is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under Technical Assistance Grant No. 10084.
The LEAD Program aims to bridge the leadership gap arising from the anticipated retirement of a significant number of DPWH senior officials in the next three to five years. It is specifically designed to prepare middle-level managers—particularly those holding the rank of Engineer IV and above—for higher leadership roles that will sustain the momentum of infrastructure development.
“These future leaders will play a crucial role in upholding the standards of excellence, integrity, and innovation that have defined DPWH’s role in national development,” Senior Undersecretary Sadain noted in his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan.
The LEAD Program builds on the Department’s previous capacity-building initiatives such as the Executive Leadership and Management Capability Enhancement Program (ELMCEP) launched in 2012 and the DPWH Cadet Engineering Program (2013–2016), both of which successfully strengthened the Department’s technical and managerial talent pool.
The pilot batch of the LEAD Program was carefully selected through a rigorous screening process conducted at The Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila. The panel was composed of Senior Undersecretary Sadain and UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Teresita V. Bauzon, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, Ramon A. Arriola III, as well as former Project Director Virgilio C. Castillo and Project Manager Shirley O. Castro.
Selected participants will undergo an intensive training curriculum that includes ten-day modules under two specialized tracks: Leadership and Technical. The sessions will be delivered by leading training institutions from July to August 2025, focusing on values-driven governance, strategic project management, and advanced engineering competencies.
Through the LEAD Program, the DPWH is laying the foundation for a new generation of competent, ethical, and forward-thinking public infrastructure leaders—poised to guide the Philippines toward a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future.
