MANILA, Philippines — A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official assigned to the Las Piñas–Muntinlupa area has been relieved from his post following repeated reports of delayed responses to calamities and what the agency described as unsatisfactory performance.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the immediate relief of Engineer Loreto Balena Jr., maintenance chief of the Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office (LMDEO), in a memorandum dated August 29.
The order cited Balena’s alleged “unsatisfactory performance, lack of urgency, and delayed response to calamities” as the reasons for his removal from the position. He was also instructed to complete pending documents, conduct an inventory, and formally turn over official records and government property to ensure that public services continue without disruption.
The move comes as parts of Metro Manila, including Las Piñas, continue to grapple with heavy rains and flooding linked to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. Recent flooding at Zapote Junction reportedly made parts of the area impassable, prompting authorities to deploy flood-mitigation equipment, including mobile pumps, to help lower rising water levels.
Flood Crisis Puts Government Response Under the Spotlight
The personnel action comes amid renewed scrutiny of government agencies tasked with responding to disasters and maintaining critical infrastructure during severe weather.
As of Sunday morning, the Office of Civil Defense reported that 429 areas across four regions, including the National Capital Region, remained flooded due to the effects of the Habagat. The scale of the flooding has placed emergency response and infrastructure readiness under intense public attention.
Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally inspected flood-control operations in Las Piñas and acknowledged that while ongoing dredging and drainage efforts had helped reduce flooding in some areas, more work remains to be done. The President also ordered a review and completion of the long-delayed Las Piñas spillway project as part of broader efforts to address recurring floods.
A Clear Warning on Accountability
Reports from the Philippine News Agency, Inquirer and Philstar confirmed that Balena’s relief was effective immediately and followed repeated concerns over his performance and the speed of his response to calamities. The directive underscores the government’s growing emphasis on accountability as communities face increasingly disruptive weather conditions.
For residents of flood-prone communities, however, the bigger question remains: Will removing one official translate into faster action on the ground when the next round of heavy rains arrives?
With floodwaters continuing to affect communities and the Habagat still bringing rain to parts of Luzon, the pressure is now on the DPWH and other government agencies to prove that emergency response will be as urgent as the crisis demands.
The official has been relieved—but for thousands of residents facing recurring floods, the real test of accountability may only be beginning.
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