ILOILO City – In the midst of a sweeping internal shakeup within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Secretary Vince Dizon has appointed veteran engineer Jose Al V. Fruto as the new officer-in-charge regional director of DPWH Region 6, signaling a push for accountability amid mounting scrutiny over flood control projects in Western Visayas.
The appointment was formalized through Special Order No. 159 issued on September 30, 2025, as part of Dizon’s nationwide campaign for a “clean sweep” in the agency following allegations of irregularities in infrastructure spending.
Fruto replaces Joel Limpengco, whose brief term followed the retirement of Sanny Boy Oropel and was marred by public and legislative concern over flood control initiatives across the region.
In line with the leadership revamp, all district engineers in Region 6 have tendered their courtesy resignations, now under review by the central office as part of the department’s commitment to reform. The move, DPWH insiders say, aims to restore credibility and discipline within the agency’s regional offices.
Fruto, who brings over three decades of civil engineering experience, has been with the department since his early years as a Civil Engineering Aide and steadily rose through the ranks — serving as Chief of the Planning and Design Division, Chief of Staff, and most recently, Assistant Regional Director since 2021.
A cum laude graduate of the University of San Agustin with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Fruto also pursued masteral studies in Engineering Education at Central Philippine University. His professional background is marked by extensive involvement in seminars on flood control planning, maintenance, and management, as well as specialized training in Project Management, Organizational Culture Change, and Results Monitoring Systems.
He is also known in engineering circles as a resource speaker for organizations such as the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA), and local Rotary Clubs, underscoring his influence and leadership within the profession.
Fruto’s appointment, observers note, reflects Secretary Dizon’s intent to install career engineers with deep institutional experience and technical credibility at the helm of key regional posts — especially at a time when DPWH faces mounting demands for transparency in the implementation of major infrastructure projects./PN