Two key government reformers were named “People of the Year” by Asian peopleemphasizing the broader drive for accountability and digital transformation in the public sector.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has been credited with institutional reforms aimed at restoring the integrity of one of the country’s largest operational institutions. Since taking office, Mr. Dizon has prioritized transparency, launching the Public Transparency Portal, ordering the freezing of assets from concerned employees, firing errant officials, and introducing structural reforms to strengthen oversight of infrastructure projects.
“The President asked me to do three things. Hold those responsible accountable wherever the evidence leads. Return the people’s money. Change the DPWH so that this does not happen again,” said Mr. Dizon.
He described corruption within the organization as systematic and entrenched, stressing that reform needs to address longstanding practices and strengthen internal controls.
At the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), Undersecretary for e-Government David Almirol, Jr. was cited for accelerating digital transformations designed to make government services faster, easier, and more accessible.
Placing digital transformation as a matter of public service, Mr. Almirol said the push to create government programs is based on a simple goal: to make services easier, faster, and accessible to every Filipino.
“The mandate was clear: to provide Filipinos with accessible government. And President Ferdinand Marcos’ tag line sums it up: He lay down, he refused red tape, he refused corruption (There are no lines. There is no red tape. There is no corruption),” stressed Mr. Almirol, emphasizing the direction of the President.
“Why join a long line when you can process documents from the comfort of your home? Why get stuck on the road or send a break to get a document? Why is it impossible to do government transactions while drinking your morning coffee? Technology will make all this possible,” said Mr. Almirol. “Once the processes are automated, everything will be easy. Government should not be complicated – it should help people, not make things difficult for them.”
Under his leadership, the DICT developed the eGovPH Super App and the digital ID National, which integrates services into a unified digital platform. Mr. Almirol stressed that both programs were developed internally by government teams, resulting in significant savings.
“We did not get the help of the eGovPH Super App contractor. Same with the national digital identity card – my staff did it. The government saved a lot,” he said. “Now we can work with the government through one application. It’s a big change.”
Before entering public service, Mr. Almirol served as CEO of Multisys Technologies Corp. His first job included working in Iraq in 2003 as an illegal security guard, where he learned coding skills the hard way from American soldiers. After returning to the Philippines, he went into business but later lost his savings due to rapid expansion.
“My biggest mistake was that I overextended. I had seven branches of a computer store in Isabela and nearby states. I spent all the money I had saved in Iraq and I lost money. It was a very painful experience,” he said, noting that its reversal formed his focus on efficiency and financial management in government programs.
Also honored was Ramon S. Ang, chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp., who received the magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to nation building. Eduardo Jose Aliño, chairman and director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, was honored for generating P6 billion in committed investments for the economic zone.
Veteran broadcast journalist Jessica Soho of GMA Network and music star Martin Nievera were also cited for their lasting contribution to media and entertainment.
Entrepreneur Nikki Tang, Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. of Belo Medical Group, designer Francis Libiran, and Anna Cabrera of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society were also honored for leadership in business, design, and advocacy.
The recognition of Honorable Dizon and Almirol highlights how government reforms today are being driven in two areas: enforcing institutional accountability and using technology to modernize public service delivery.
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