Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the immediate relief of two engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera Administrative Region following a fatal road accident in Benguet.
District Engineer Isagani Cayme and Engineer III Marjory Banao were removed from their posts after an investigation found insufficient road safety signage and traffic control devices at a collapsed portion of the road in Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The incident involved a cyclist who died after falling into a ravine along the damaged and unprotected section of the roadway.
The DPWH said the area lacked concrete barriers, warning signs, and other safety measures needed to prevent accidents, particularly in hazardous construction or damaged road sections.
The relief order followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to hold accountable government officials and employees whose negligence endangers public safety.
Dizon said the government would not tolerate negligence that puts motorists and pedestrians at risk, adding that similar incidents should not happen again.
He also warned contractors handling DPWH projects that failure to comply with safety requirements during construction could lead to contract cancellation, blacklisting, and possible criminal charges.
The DPWH said it has begun further assessment and safety inspections in the area to prevent similar incidents.
