A significant leadership shift is taking place at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as newly appointed secretary Vince Dizon has requested the resignation of top officials at the agency. In a memo dated 24 February 2025, Dizon called for the “unqualified courtesy resignations” of all undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors. The deadline for submission is set for 26 February 2025.
Dizon said while courtesy resignations are a routine practice during leadership transitions, they do not imply automatic acceptance. The memo, which affects only the DOTr central office and not its attached agencies or government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), provides the new leadership the flexibility to reorganize and select the best personnel for key positions.
The move comes shortly after Dizon’s appointment on 21 February, following the resignation of former secretary Jaime Bautista due to health reasons. Dizon’s background includes serving as chief regulatory officer at Prime Infrastructure and as presidential adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects during the previous administration’s Build, Build, Build initiative.
The request signals a shift in the department’s policy direction, potentially reshaping its operational strategies and leadership framework, with a focus on aligning talent both within the department and from external sources. As Dizon navigates this transition, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the DOTr’s day-to-day operations while giving the new leadership room to implement necessary changes.
