Rafael Yabut

Rafael "Pye" Cunanan Yabut (born April 26, 1953)^[1] is a Filipino engineer, who is the acting Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. He previously served as Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office Operations of DPWH from January 14, 2008 until his retirement last June 2015. He was also the alternate representative of the Secretary to the Toll Regulatory Board.^[2][3] He was designated as Acting Secretary last July 1, 2016 until Mark Villar assumes the post by end of July 2016.^[4]

Early life and education

Yabut was born in Candaba in Pampanga province on April 26, 1953. His parents are Ernesto Yabut and Felipa Cunanan. He took up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Angeles University Foundation and graduated in 1976. He then took up Bachelor of Science in Sanitary engineering at Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga where he graduated in 1983. He completed his Masters degree in Public Administration at Angeles University Foundation in 1996.^[1][2]

Career

Yabut started to work as laborer in DPWH office in Angeles, Pampanga in 1975 a year before his graduation from college. As district engineer of Pampanga's First Engineering district, he used to supervised the "Operation Baklas Billboards" and cleared the national roads of Pampanga of illegal structures and obstructions. In 2003, he was appointed as Assistant Secretary of DPWH being the youngest among the Executive Committee. On January 14, 2008 he was appointed as DPWH undersecretary by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.^[3] Yabut is known as the main official implementing the department's toll roads, including those projects under the Public-Private Partnership program. His last project was the Cavite-Laguna Expressway before retiring last June 2015 to care for his aging parents.^[5] By July 1, 2016 however, he was designated as the acting Secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways until Mark Villar assumes office by July 26 or 27.^[4][2]

References