Aussie falls in open manhole

CEBU, Philippines -  An Australian national who claimed to have fallen into an uncovered manhole at the city’s downtown area yesterday went to the City Hall to complain before Mayor Michael Rama.

George Sydney Carlsen, 69, would have wanted to show Rama his injured right legs but he was not able to wait for the mayor. Carlsen left City Hall before Rama arrived at 2:00 p.m.

Carlsen said he fell into an open manhole along Manalili and Progreso Streets while he and his girlfriend Marie Jell Fernandez were walking towards Carbon Market to buy water pump.

Carlsen criticized the city government for its failure to attend to the problem saying it is very dangerous for the people. According to Carlsen, their government does not take a similar problem for granted.

He urged the city government to immediately act on the problem to avoid other people from falling into it.

Rama who learned of the incident immediately ordered city engineer Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez to look into the complaint of the Australian national.

It was learned that aside from the uncovered manhole where Carlsen fell into, there are also other uncovered manholes spotted along the corners of Manalili and Legaspi Streets.

A few years ago a little girl died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Barangay Capitol Site while playing under the rain. — (FREEMAN)