forget the handshake extended “meI bycannot former First Lady Imelda Marcos. It was
so fulfilling that a wife of the President would congratulate you for a job well done.” -Engr. Danilo Idos
These are the Dr. A. Santos Ave. (formerly Sucat Road) widening project in 1992; the Alabang-Zapote flyover project in 1997; and the C5-Ortigas flyover in1999. “It was also a blessing in disguise that I was always assigned in Metro Manila since I want to have plenty of time with my family,” he said. He revealed that his position was very sensitive since projects within Metro Manila are the focus of strict scrutiny. However, the demands of his work taught him to be a professional, results-oriented, and punctual at all times. Furthermore, he takes to heart the Civil Service rule that anyone working for government must be efficient enough to earn public trust.
job to the best of his ability, a quality that later served as his passport to handling more sensitive projects even dating back to the time of the late President Marcos. Unforgettable handshake with Imelda “I cannot forget the handshake extended me by former First Lady Imelda Marcos. It was so fulfilling that a wife of the President would congratulate you for a job well done,” he said. He considered every project given to him as a challenge. Through hard work and dedication, Idos was able to finish all projects given to him on time by implementing a “hands on” management style and close supervision of all projects. “Since I joined government service my average length of sleep at night is only three hours. I see to it that I inspect all my projects. I cannot afford to stay in bed a minute longer,” the official explained. So far, he considers three major projects as his “shining moments” because he nearly missed the deadlines. With a lot at stake since these projects were over P500 million, he exerted extra effort to complete them on time.
Urpo chief hot seat Engineer Idos’ kind of work ethic and dedication are essential to being an Urpo chief because the sub-agency’s mantra is to decongest Metro Manila. According to him, Urpo-Pmo is a “hot seat” and if the leader is not results-oriented or punctual he will surely earn the flak from the DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. What is admirable of this 61-year-old official is that he is not even Civil Serviceeligible. However, that did not deter him from giving his 100% service to the government. His lack of credential is compensated by about 54 seminars he has attended here and abroad. He was almost always at seminars of known engineering associations like the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Road Engineering Association of the Philippines and Association of Government Civil Engineers. When asked if there is any engineer he looks up to with very high regard, the official has only this as an answer: “Singson(Rogelio, the DPWH Secretary) is my idol because he is incorruptible. He is worth emulating.” Idos said Singson’s untarnished record as a public servant is infectious. He further stated that a lot of project managers, assistant secretaries and undersecretaries are now like him. He gave as example the original budget
for Sales Bridge retrofitting, his current assignment, where Singson’s qualities were tested. “For example the budget for the Sales Bridge retrofitting was originally P70 million but it was lessened by P10 million and at the same maintained quality output,” he said. With full confidence, Idos said he was never charged in any court nor accused of accepting bribes from any contractor or supplier because he lived a simple life. “I don’t have an expensive house or a luxury vehicle; I don’t play golf so why would I need more money?” Think of what is right “I only think of how I can finish the job assigned to me. I think of what is right and I never let myself be affected by the negative publicity about DPWH.” According to him, this way of thinking has proven effective for anyone who seeks higher positions. His unique ability to avoid temptation became Engineer Idos’ passport to climb the government service hierarchy ladder. “What I have been doing since I became a civil engineering aide 2 is still the same to this day. I personally visit project sites, maintain constant contact with project managers and I stay very late at work and wakes up very early to start my day,” he assured. After Sales Bridge retrofitting project, Idos will be concentrating on the P2-billion Tramo-Roxas Boulevard flyover project planned to start second quarter of 2013. When asked about his opinion on publicprivate partnership (PPP) projects he said that the construction of the 5-kilometer Naia Expressway is set to start anytime once a winning bidder is chosen. The expressway might also be assigned to Idos and he is more than ready to take up the challenge once more. With a little over three years left before he leaves his illustrious career, Idos sees himself vacationing in the US to visit his son when he retires in 2015. “By that time I can afford to sleep more than three hours,” he chided.
November-December 2012
Philippine Construction&Design
|
29