Photo from Rappler

By Alexia Bangayan

On Thursday, October 9, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) identified that 421 out of 8,000 inspected flood control projects nationwide are “ghost,” or nonexistent projects that only appear on paper.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon presented the initial findings to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), in coordination with the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

In a press briefing, Dizon said, “Out of 8,000 flood control projects validated nationwide, 421 were identified as ghost projects by the AFP, PNP, and DepDev,” adding that the results were from the first round of a nationwide audit. 

Moreover, Dizon said that the filing of complaints could proceed faster since accountability is easier to determine in such cases. 

“Madaling [i-establish] yung accountability at liability kasi ghost nga… Hindi na mahaba yung case build-up no’n. Hopefully mas mabilis tayo makapag-file ng kaso,” he explained.

He also noted that while most of the ghost projects were concentrated in Luzon, others were scattered across Visayas and Mindanao, emphasizing that DPWH still needs to inspect thousands more.

Meanwhile, the ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka stated that the DPWH report provides a clear starting point for deeper investigation into infrastructure anomalies.

Hosaka added that former PNP Chief and ICI Special Adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. will personally inspect flood control sites nationwide to verify the commission’s findings. 

Furthermore, the ICI urged the DPWH to reassess and lower the Levels of Authorities (LOA) thresholds for civil works procurement, after a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing — from ₱150 million to ₱75 million at the district level, and from ₱400 million to ₱200 million at the regional level.

The issue of flood control projects surfaced after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. brought it up in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

This later led to congressional investigations that uncovered a kickback scheme involving multiple DPWH officials and senators.