THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that 421 of the 8,000 flood control projects it inspected nationwide were discovered to be non-existent or “ghost.”

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon revealed this in a press conference on Thursday, October 9, following a meeting with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a fact-finding commission that investigates the anomalous flood control projects in the country.

Dizon said they coordinated with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the inspection of flood control projects.

“Initially, 8,000 projects all over the country were validated. And out of the 8,000, ang na-validate na ghost ay 421,” he said.

Dizon noted that the ICI has been briefed about their initial findings as of October 6.

“Initial palang ‘to lahat. Kasi ang dami nito, daang libong proyekto ‘tong kailangan i-validate,” he stressed.

The DPWH secretary said most of the ghost projects were found in Luzon. He added that further details about these flood control works, including their total cost, will be provided by the ICI.

A ‘big’ help to ICI’s probe

Meanwhile, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said the DPWH’s initial findings are a significant help to the ICI’s ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.

“Malaking bagay ‘yung direksyon na binibigay nitong mga data at information na ‘to. We will look into those, and kung merong mga ibang distrito, regions na pwede naming tingnan at kumpleto na ‘yung mga dokumento at ebidensya, then, puntahan natin ‘yan,” he said.

“With this direction now, na meron tayong 421 ghost projects, mas mapapadali ‘yan,” he continued.

Dizon said they would not disclose additional information about the initial findings to allow the ICI “further zero in on these ghost projects.” 

But he assured the public that it would not be difficult for them to file a case against those responsible for these non-existent infrastructures.

“Madaling i-establish ‘yung liability and accountability kapag ghost project, kasi ghost nga eh. Hindi na mahaba ‘yung case build-up non,” Dizon explained.