DPWH-Las Piñas official axed over slow disaster response

MANILA, Philippines — Amid alleged incompetence and delayed disaster response, the Department of Public Works and Highways has relieved engineer Loreto Balena Jr. as maintenance chief of the DPWH Las Pinas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office (LMDEO).

“In view of repeated reports concerning your unsatisfactory performance, lack of urgency and delayed response to calamities, you are hereby relieved of your duties,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in an Aug. 29 directive.

Balena must conduct an inventory, complete pending deliverables as well as hand over official papers, records and properties to LMDEO officer-in-charge Ryan de la Cruz.

President Marcos has ordered the DPWH to purge negligent, slow-moving and inefficient officials.

QC families evacuated

In Quezon City, more than 6,300 families have been evacuated in 45 barangays amid the heavy rainfall and widespread flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon.

As of yesterday, 6,326 families were staying in 100 evacuation centers across the city.

Among the centers with the highest number of evacuees are Bagong Silangan evacuation center (465 families), Bagong Silangan Elementary School (433 families) and Fairview Elementary School (355 families).

Several areas in the city remain flooded due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement, the Quezon City government said relevant offices, particularly the Department of Engineering, have been conducting dewatering and pumping operations to help ease floodwaters in affected areas.

The local government also conducted clearing operations to ensure that drainage systems and other waterways remain free of garbage and debris. — Janvic Mateo