Pampanga Engineers Sacked Over Fatal Drainage Canal Incident

MANILA, Philippines — Two engineers from the Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been relieved of their duties for failing to comply with safety measures following a man’s death after he fell into an open drainage canal. In a memorandum shared by the DPWH with the media late Sunday, Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the relief of Aser Mallari, officer-in-charge of the Office of the District Engineer, and Agustin Dagsaan Jr., officer-in-charge of the Office of the Assistant District Engineer, citing their “failure to comply with the required safety standards.” The order is effective immediately. The engineers are instructed to conduct inventory, accomplish, complete, and sign pending documents to ensure smooth turnover of their responsibilities in their respective offices. Last August 28, Reiner Novero died after falling into a flooded, open drainage canal along the Fil-Am Friendship Highway in Barangay Cutcut in Angeles City, Pampanga. As seen in closed-circuit television footage circulating in social media, Novero was swept away by the strong current when he fell into the canal. After an hour, Novero was recovered two kilometers from where he fell and was found beneath a bridge in front of a subdivision in Barangay Sto. Domingo. The incident sparked safety concerns among many social media users pointing out why a drainage canal was left open.