In strong alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” program—an ambitious national initiative designed to transform the Philippines into a modern, inclusive, and disaster-resilient nation through world-class infrastructure—the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is intensifying efforts to enhance its institutional capacity and leadership.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who oversees the implementation of key infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) under the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO), emphasized that the successful completion of large-scale, high-impact infrastructure projects hinges on a deep reservoir of skilled and visionary leadership.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Sadain underscored that ensuring the seamless and timely execution of IFPs requires not only robust financial support but also continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and the nurturing of future leaders who possess both technical expertise and managerial excellence.
Currently, the UPMO is overseeing a wide range of transformative infrastructure projects across the country, each at various stages of development. Notable initiatives include the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge, which will connect Central Luzon and CALABARZON via a marine bridge across Manila Bay; the Panay–Guimaras–Negros Island Bridges, designed to improve inter-island connectivity in the Visayas; the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, the Samal Island–Davao City Connector Bridge, and the Bucana Bridge—all aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility in the Davao Region; the Dalton Pass East Alternative Road, which provides a safer, more efficient route through the mountainous terrain of the Cagayan Valley; the Guicam Bridge in Zamboanga Sibugay, part of the Mindanao connectivity push; the Second San Juanico Bridge, reinforcing transport between Samar and Leyte; the Cebu-Mactan 4th Bridge and Coastal Road Construction, designed to ease traffic between Cebu City and Mactan Island while fostering regional tourism and business growth; the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, offering sustainable transport solutions around Laguna de Bay; and the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR-CCA) Project, which aims to mitigate flooding and climate risks in low-lying areas of Pampanga and Central Luzon.
To ensure the long-term sustainability and leadership continuity of these high-impact projects, the DPWH formally launched the Leadership Excellence for Advanced Development (LEAD) Program on April 23, 2025. This groundbreaking leadership development initiative, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through Technical Assistance Grant No. 10084, seeks to bridge the leadership gap created by the impending retirement of a significant number of senior DPWH officials over the next three to five years.
The LEAD Program is designed to equip middle-level managers—especially those in the rank of Engineer IV and above—with the skills and knowledge needed for higher leadership roles that will ensure the continued success of the country’s infrastructure development.
“These future leaders will be essential in maintaining the high standards of excellence, integrity, and innovation that have become synonymous with DPWH’s contributions to national development,” noted Senior Undersecretary Sadain in his report to Secretary Bonoan.
The LEAD Program builds upon 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 programs significantly strengthened the Department’s technical and managerial talent pool.
The pilot batch for the LEAD Program was selected through a rigorous screening process held at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila. The selection panel included Senior Undersecretary Sadain, 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.
Participants of the LEAD Program will undergo an intensive training curriculum, consisting of ten-day modules across two specialized tracks: Leadership and Technical. The program will be delivered by top-tier training institutions from July to August 2025, focusing on values-driven governance, strategic project management, and advanced engineering competencies.
