P96.5-M ‘ghost project’ discovered in Davao Occidental
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Independent Commission for Infrastructure special adviser Benjamin Magalong during the inspection in Davao Occidental. Photos from ICI.
MANILA, Philippines — A P96.5-million flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, was found to have begun construction only three weeks ago, despite being declared completed and fully paid for since 2022.
It was “marked as a ghost project” by Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser Benjie Magalong after conducting an inspection with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Vince Dizon on Thursday morning.
READ: COA flags 4 more ghost flood control projects, files new raps
According to the ICI, Magalong immediately ordered the suspension of its construction after declaring the area a “crime scene.”
Based on the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, the project’s contractor was the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corp.
The website also shows that it was completed and fully paid for in 2022.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Independent Commission for Infrastructure special adviser Benjamin Magalong during the inspection in Davao Occidental. Photos from ICI.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Independent Commission for Infrastructure special adviser Benjamin Magalong during the inspection in Davao Occidental. Photos from ICI.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Independent Commission for Infrastructure special adviser Benjamin Magalong during the inspection in Davao Occidental. Photos from ICI.
However, during the inspection, Magalong himself asked nearby residents when the construction for the project actually started, to which they responded: “Three weeks ago.”
Dizon, for his part, encouraged all officials involved in similar ghost projects to come forward—warning that the ICI will go after them if they don’t.
“Come clean now, because the ICI will catch you, you will be caught. Don’t wait for it to get to this point; you’ll still be caught,” Dizon said in a chance interview during the inspection.
“I don’t care if every DE in the Philippines is wiped out, even if every RD in the Philippines is wiped out… if it’s necessary to wipe you all out, we will wipe you out,” he added. /mr
