Mayor vows discipline after boy’s death at city fishing port

FOLLOWING the death of a four-year-old boy trapped by collapsed metal railings at Cebu City’s fish harbor, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia vowed to punish all negligent city hall workers.

Garcia has ordered the Market Operations Division and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to conduct an investigation to determine whether there is any negligence in the installation and maintenance of the railings.

“If negligence is found, those responsible will be held accountable,” Garcia said on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

“Disciplinary action will be taken, including possible suspension or transfer to another department. I am very serious about that because what happened is not trivial,” he added.

The fatal victim was identified as Crismark Sandoval. The accident happened on Monday afternoon, October 14, when Sandoval was leaning on a metal railing, which collapsed along with another railing after another child climbed onto it. Sandoval’s head was seriously injured.

It was later discovered that one of the balustrades was defective and one of the standards was already missing.

At the time of the incident, Sandoval was under the care of his uncle as his father is in prison while his mother lives in Minglanilla.

Sandoval was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, but the boy did not survive. He succumbed to injuries to his head and other parts of his body on Tuesday, October 15.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Services has offered financial assistance and food for the vigil.

The municipality pays the funeral costs and provides a coffin. Sandoval will be buried on Wednesday, October 23 at the Calamba Public Cemetery.

Garcia also ordered the release of a seized electric bicycle (e-bike) that was used to rush Sandoval to CCMC.

The release sets conditions that require the owner to register the vehicle and attend a seminar.

CCTO chief Raquel Arce said the e-bike, used by the child’s uncle, was not immediately seized after the child was rushed to hospital. Instead, the vehicle was seized a few hours after it arrived at the hospital for carrying an unregistered passenger.

City Ordinance 2531 regulates the use of e-bikes, electric tricycles and pedicabs in the city by requiring their owners to be registered with the CCTO. / EHP