Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the immediate removal of the district engineer heading the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office after a vehicular accident in Del Gallego town left at least three people injured.
The crash took place in Barangay Magais along an active road construction zone. Dizon emphasized that the incident was preventable had standard safety protocols—such as adequate warning signs and protective devices—been properly deployed at the site.
Dizon clarified that disciplinary action would extend beyond the DPWH official, noting that the project contractor would also face full accountability.
“Effective yesterday (August 5), I already replaced the District Engineer of 1st District Engineering Office of Camarines Sur because we need to make our people accountable,” said Dizon.
An official DPWH memorandum formally directed the immediate relief and reassignment of the district engineer:
“You are hereby relieved of your duties as District Engineer of the Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office, effective immediately, and directed to report to the Office of the Regional Director, Regional Office No. V, for the assignment of your duties and responsibilities.”
The directive also instructed the outgoing official to settle outstanding deliverables and execute a clean handover of state property and records:
“To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public service, you are further directed to conduct an inventory, accomplish, complete, and sign all pending documents and deliverables, and formally turn over all official records, papers, and properties in your custody to the appropriate office.”
Dizon pointed out that the DPWH maintains clear road safety guidelines for active work zones, noting that the incident points to a failure to enforce or follow established protocols.
He added that regional officials had previously received standing orders to strictly implement these standards across all infrastructure projects.
“We have existing road safety protocol and this must be strictly observed because in some cases, lives are at stake if these safety measures are ignored,” said Dizon.