By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Four Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials have been relieved from their posts over alleged irregularities, the agency said Monday.
In a social media post, the DPWH said Secretary Banoy Lopez ordered the relief of Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) District Engineer Hermon Ines and Cotabato 3rd DEO Engineer Saidale Mitmug following allegations of corruption.
Also relieved were Apayao 2nd DEO officer-in-charge District Engineer Clifton Valencerina over allegations of extortion, and Lanao del Norte 2nd DEO District Engineer Amron Mitmug for allegedly certifying unimplementable projects.
Lopez said the “one-strike policy” implemented by former Secretary Vince Dizon would remain in force, with personnel involved in questionable activities subject to immediate investigation.
He also assured the public that the agency would not tolerate lapses in its campaign against corruption.
Meanwhile, Lopez inspected on Monday the ongoing construction of a dike in Barangay Frances, Calumpit, Bulacan.
He said the project was more than halfway complete and expected to be finished in the first half of next year.
The dike is intended to protect residents from severe flooding that has affected the area in recent weeks, particularly during prolonged rains.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. discovered the substandard and inadequate flood control project during a visit to the area earlier this year.
The President has ordered the continued construction of durable flood control structures in high-risk and flood-prone areas nationwide, an initiative started under Dizon. (PNA)
