Dizon: 421 of 8,000 flood control works in PH are ‘ghost projects’
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon. Photo by Mary Joy Salcedo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — At least 421 flood control works were found to be “ghost projects” out of the 8,000 inspected nationwide, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday.
He made the remark during a press conference following a meeting with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) at its office in Taguig City.
Dizon said the inspection was conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), together with the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Initially, 8,000 projects nationwide were validated, and of these, 421 were identified as ghost projects by the AFP, PNP, and NEDA (now DepDev),” Dizon said in Filipino, noting that the findings are as of Oct. 6.
“This is just the initial phase, because there are so many. Hundreds of thousands of these projects still need to be validated,” he added.
READ: Dizon orders DPWH to explain P774-M failed Manila flood project
According to Dizon, the ghost projects are scattered across the country, with a significant number in Luzon. He has yet to provide details on the total cost of the affected projects.
When asked if the contractors involved in the 421 flood control ghost projects are also under investigation, Dizon said in Filipino, “They are included, but there are others as well. There are many of them.”
READ: Dizon orders Davao execs to explain P96.5-M ‘ghost project’
‘Starting point’
ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said the DPWH’s reported findings are helpful for the ongoing investigation.
“The direction provided by this data and information is significant, and we will look into it. If there are districts or regions we can review, we will visit them,” Hosaka said.
“As we move forward, we are gaining momentum. This process is accelerating. With the 421 ghost projects identified, it will make things easier,” he added.
He also noted that the new ICI Special Adviser and Investigator, former PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., will personally inspect flood control sites nationwide.
“These projects have already been validated, so that is significant. But it doesn’t prevent the general from inspecting them personally to ensure accuracy,” Hosaka said.
“Definitely, this is significant. We now have a starting point,” he added./mcm
