Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has relieved the maintenance chief of the DPWH Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office over a slow response to calamities as heavy rain and flooding grip Metro Manila.
Why the official was removed
In a memorandum dated August 29, Dizon cited engineer Loreto Balena Jr.’s “unsatisfactory performance, lack of urgency, and delayed response to calamities” as grounds for his immediate relief.
Balena was directed to conduct an inventory, finish pending documents and turn over official records and government properties in his custody.
The flooding context
Metro Manila has been among the areas bearing the brunt of continuous southwest monsoon rains. Las Piñas saw flooding in recent days, including at Zapote Junction, where floodwaters rendered the area impassable and prompted the DPWH to deploy mobile pumps.
The department said the action follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to remove officials who neglect their duties and tighten discipline within the agency.
What it means
The relief is a signal that the DPWH is holding district offices accountable during disaster season. PAGASA expects monsoon rains to continue over parts of Luzon, keeping flood risk elevated as the region recovers from Tropical Depression Pilandok’s enhanced Habagat and the Agana Bridge collapse in Tarlac.
Flood-response timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 28-29 | Habagat brings heavy rain, flooding to Metro Manila |
| Aug 29 | Dizon signs relief memo for LMDEO maintenance chief |
| Aug 30 | Relief announced; DPWH deploys flood-mitigation equipment |
