Answering the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for public servants to become stewards of good governance, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) has formalized a strategic partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Development Academy of the Philippines(DAP) to implement the Leadership Excellence for Advanced Development (LEAD) Program.
This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of values-driven, competent leaders within the DPWH who are equipped with advanced management, leadership, and technical skills necessary to support the national government’s infrastructure thrust.
A ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Letter of Agreement (LOA) was held on May 28, 2025, at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City. The event was led by DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, ADB Transport Sector Office Director Dong-Kyu Lee, and DAP Officer-in-Charge and Senior Vice President for Programs Magdalena Mendoza.
The LEAD Program is a strategic initiative aimed at ensuring leadership continuity and institutional sustainability in the implementation of the country’s transformative Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs).
The DPWH IFPs are mostly under the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations and as designated by DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan are directly under supervision of Senior Undersecretary Sadain,.
In his message, Senior Undersecretary Sadain underscored the urgent need to train and develop highly capable individuals who can become the future leaders of the Department. He emphasized that these leaders must embody the ideals of a Bagong Pilipinas — committed public servants who are efficient, proactive, innovative, and dedicated to transformative public service.
The DPWH aspires to cultivate a corps of forward-looking leaders committed to public service excellence, innovation, and integrity —ensuring that the department remains a driving force behind inclusive and sustainable national development.
Through the LEAD Program, DPWH is equipping future leaders to sustain the momentum of national infrastructure efforts particularly UPMO-managed IFPs under Official Development Assistance (ODA) financing.
ODA-funded IPFs include: Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge linking Central Luzon and CALABARZON across Manila Bay; Panay–Guimaras–Negros Island Bridges improving inter-island connectivity in the Visayas; Davao City Bypass, Samal Island–Davao City Connector Bridge, and Bucana Bridge - enhancing mobility in the Davao Region; Dalton Pass East Alternative Road providing safer access to Cagayan Valley through mountainous terrain; Guicam Bridge (Zamboanga Sibugay) – Advancing connectivity in Mindanao; Second San Juanico Bridge – Strengthening the link between Samar and Leyte; Cebu-Mactan 4th Bridge and Coastal Road – Reducing congestion and improving access in Metro Cebu; Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project – Promoting sustainable transport around Laguna de Bay; and Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR-CCA) Project – Addressing flooding and climate resilience in Central Luzon
ADB expressed its commitment by providing grant support for the LEAD Program through Technical Assistance No. 10084-PHI: Strengthening Infrastructure Capacity and Innovation for Inclusive Growth – Phase 2. Meanwhile, DAP will design and deliver the program, leveraging its expertise as the national government’s premier training and development institution.
Also present at the signing event were ADB officers Atty. Ruby Alvarez (Lead Project Officer – Infrastructure), Transport Specialist Juan Gonzales, and Consultant Sharon Baquiran. From the DAP, attendees included Vice President for the Center for Governance Imelda C. Caluen, Director for Operations Management Alvin P. Principe, Project Manager Merriam P. Dy, Project Coordinator Maria Eloisa Beatrice I. Encinas, and Mr. Joebert Sayson.
Representing the DPWH were Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Teresita V. Bauzon, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, Ramon A. Arriola III, and Soledad R. Florencio; Project Managers Shirley O. Castro, Zenaida B. Mauhay, Emmanuel M. Supe, Evangeline L. Carabal, and Shirley E. Medina; Program Manager Paula Kristina G. Gawat, Deputy Program Manager Engr. John Mark Guimba, and other key technical personnel.
