DPWH to rebid flood control projects found to be ‘ghost’ or non-existent

The Department of Public Works and Highways has no choice but to rebid the flood control projects, which are non-existent or "ghost," Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday.

On the sidelines of the turnover ceremonies at the DPWH central office in Manila, the new secretary was asked if the DPWH would again hold bidding for the undelivered projects.

“We have to fix the projects. We have no choice. The people need flood control. We have to fix it. I don’t know when, but we have to do it ASAP,” Dizon said.

Dizon said the DPWH had to iron out details on how to move forward with rebidding the projects.

“We have to find out. But we have to do it," Dizon said.

In his remarks during the turnover ceremony, Dizon stressed that “I cannot allow the government to be helpless” in relation to the ongoing probe into the anomalies surrounding the flood control projects in the country.

15 ‘missing’

Resigned Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the DPWH already validated 160 flood control projects out of about 9,855 completed from July 2022 to May 2025.

“Fifteen out of 160 validated flood control projects [are] missing… If you recall, we submitted to the President a report of completed projects from July of 2022 to May of 2025 of about 9,855 projects," Bonoan said.

"And I think many of these have already been validated in specific areas for the time being, and we will be turning over this to Secretary Vince to read the status of these projects that have been validated in the field,” he added.

“Well, there are findings. If I may, Secretary, in the field, as far as I can recall... There are 15 ‘unlocated’… Parang non-existent,” Bonoan said.

Bonoan said most of the 15 “unlocated” projects are “in the first district of Bulacan.”

“And I think they are scattered in some other regions—one or two. But these are going to be validated,” the former DPWH chief said.

The President had disclosed that 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors, five of which have projects in almost all regions nationwide. –NB, GMA Integrated News