DPWH: 421 'ghosts' in 8,000 initially inspected flood control projects

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday said that of the 8,000 flood control projects initially inspected across the country, 421 were found to be ‘ghosts.’

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the inspections have been conducted by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the past couple of weeks.

“We briefed the [Independent Commission for Infrastructure] on our initial findings as of October 6,” Dizon said in a press conference right after a meeting with the commission.

“Initially, 8,000 projects all over the country were validated. And out of the 8,000, ang na-validate na ghosts ng AFP, PNP, [DEPDev] ay 421,” he added.

Dizon said the ghost projects were discovered in different areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Most of these ghost projects were recorded in Luzon, according to him.

He further said some of the projects were contracted by the same government contractors named in anomalous flood control projects. 

ICI executive director Brian Hosaka said the information gives the commission its direction as it fulfills its mandate and will look into the alleged ghost projects. 

“We will look into those at kung may ibang mga distrito, regions na pwede naming tingnan at kumpleto na ‘yung mga dokumento at ebidensiya, pupuntahan natin ‘yan,” Hosaka said. 

For his part, Dizon said that these validated ghost projects are “low hanging fruits” for prosecution.

“Madaling establish ‘yung liability and accountability. Ghost nga eh. HIndi na mahaba ‘yung case build up ‘nun,” he said. 

50% cut

Meanwhile, Hosaka said the commission has recommended to the DPWH to cut by half the amount of procurement threshold for district and regional engineering offices.

“The district is P150 million for civil works procurement and the region is P400 million. So, ang suggestion ng ICI is kalahitin ito para sa ganoon makontrol natin ang procurement ng DPWH ng civil works,” he said.

(So, the ICI's suggestion is to cut it by half so that we can control the DPWH's procurement of civil works.)

If the suggestion is implemented, the threshold amount for procurement for the districts will be reduced to P75 million, while for the regions to P200 million. —AOL, GMA Integrated News