Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the immediate dismissal of two district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) following alleged negligence linked to a fatal road safety incident in Benguet.

The officials identified as District Engineer Isagani Cayme and Engineer III Marjory Banao were relieved from their posts after authorities cited failure to install adequate road safety signage and traffic control devices, including concrete barriers, at a damaged section of road in Beckel, La Trinidad.

The action comes after a 13-year-old boy, identified by local cycling groups as “Lunlun,” died after reportedly falling from a collapsed portion of the road in Barangay Beckel, an area that had remained unrepaired since last year’s typhoons.

Based on reports, the victim was riding his bicycle near Lamut Junction when he fell off the edge of the damaged roadway earlier this week. Photos circulating online showed only makeshift rope and caution tape serving as barriers, drawing widespread criticism from residents and cyclists.

The incident sparked public outrage and grief within the biking community in Baguio and Benguet, with cycling groups holding solidarity rides to support the victim’s family and calling attention to what they described as a preventable tragedy due to prolonged neglect.

Secretary Dizon stressed that such incidents must not happen again, holding responsible officials accountable for lapses in ensuring road safety compliance.

He also warned all DPWH contractors that failure to comply with strict safety standards in infrastructure projects will result in contract termination, blacklisting, and possible criminal charges, as investigations into the incident continue.