Bataan City Refuses to Remove Dangerous Dangling Truck For Over a Year

It is no secret that every level of government in the Philippines is inept. But sometimes that level of ineptness is rather astonishing. Here is a recent example. A truck crashed and flipped upside down on two houses. The city refused to remove the truck until the residents contacted GMA Network.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/901625/after-a-year-of-worry-dinalupihan-residents-get-truck-on-top-of-their-houses-removed/story/

For more than a year, an overturned truck on top of two houses in Bataan threatened the safety of its occupants. With help from GMA Kapuso Action Man Emil Sumangil, the vehicle was finally removed.

Marieta Gacita, one of the affected residents, complained of the danger the wreckage posed to residents of Purok Dos Barangay Banga and asked for help to remove the vehicle that threatened her home.  

“Gusto ko pong matulungan akong tanggalin yung truck kasi delikado na po siya masyado,” said Gacita.

(I was looking for help to remove it because it posed a danger to us.)

The Dinalupihan Municipal Engineering Office explained why the wreckage remained despite the truck driver facing reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property charges.

“Panahon ng tag-ulan kaya hindi ho namin maiangat dito yung truck. Pangalawa ho, ‘yung kaso sa pagitan ng naka-aksidente atsaka ho yung biktima,” said Engineer Vladimir Miranda.

(We found it difficult to lift the truck because of the rain. There was also the case between the driver and the homeowners.)

Police clarified the removal of the wreckage would not affect the status of the case.

“Nagkaroon na po ng assessment yung lokal na pamahalaan ng Dinalupihan para po matanggal yung truck at nakipag-coordinate na rin po ang engineering office sa mga biktima para agarang matanggal yung truck. Dadalhin lang po ito sa aming impounding area,” said Police Master Sergeant Aurelio Dabu.

(The Dinalupihan government conducted an assessment to remove the truck. The engineering office also coordinated with the victims. We will bring the truck to our impounding area.)

The local engineering office finally removed the truck, to the gratitude of the affected residents.

“Sa pakikipagtulungan po ng mga ahensiya po namin sa munisipyo katuwang ang PNP, TPSO, MDDRMO, ang PENELCO kasama ang head ng aming motorpool, napagtulungan po na maayos na matanggal doon sa kabahayan,” said Miranda.

(The local government with help from the PNP, TPSO, MDDRMO, PENELCO, and head of motorpool, managed to remove the truck from the neighborhood.)

Quite frankly the Dinalupihan Municipal Engineering Office is lying. Are we really to believe that they didn't remove the truck for OVER A YEAR because of rain? It does not rain every single day in the Philippines. 

And are we really to believe that they did not remove the truck because the did not want to disturb a crime scene? If that is the case that means they did not confidante with the PNP because they say removing the truck would not affect the status of the case. 

It is beyond pathetic that local residents had to bring this to the attention of GMA for anything to get done. What is the point of electing local officials if they sit on their laurels and refuse to serve the people who elected them?