Dizon removes engineers from post after death of man who fell into flooded open manhole in Pampanga

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has removed two district engineers in Pampanga for their alleged failure to implement road safety measures along a highway in Angeles City that resulted in the death of a man after falling into an open manhole, according to a memorandum posted on the official DPWH page.

Pampanga 3rd Officer-in-charge District Engineer Aser S. Mallari and OIC Assistant District Engineer Augustin R. Dagsaan, Jr. allegedly failed to implement required safety measures on the Fil-Am Friendship Highway in Angeles City, Pampanga, where a man died after falling into a flooded open drainage canal.

"In view of your failure to comply with the required safety standards, among other infractions, you are hereby relived of your duties as Officers-in-charge, Office of the District Engineer and Office of the Assistant District Engineer, Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office, effective immediately," according to the memorandum signed by Dizon.

"To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public service, you are to conduct an inventory, accomplish, complete, and sign all pending documents and deliverables, and formally turn over all offici (redacted) to the appropriate office."

The DPWH statement also stated that "Kasunod ng direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na tiyakin ang pagpapatupad ng safety at quality standards sa lahat ng proyekto upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng publiko, tiniyak ng Kalihim na mananagot ang mga opisyal ng DPWH na nagpapabaya sa tungkulin."

(Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure the implementation of safety and quality standards in all projects to ensure public safety, the Secretary assured that DPWH officials who neglect their duties will be held accountable.) — BAP, GMA News