Authorities searching for a P2 million flood mitigating project in Barangay Baikingon, Cagayan de Oro City found out that the project they were looking for was actually in the neighboring barangay of San Simon.

Barangay Baikingon Chairman Jao Gumapac said he was surprised when investigators arrived in their barangay last week to look for a flood control project worth P2 million, which was reportedly listed under his barangay.

Gumapac added that the investigators, who were bringing a map of government flood control projects, pointed to a site in their barangay. However, no such project was found during inspection.

“Ato kining giklaro kung unsa ka tinuod kay matud pa lagi 2024 pa kining maong area gi-construct na ang concreting sa maong kanal o flood control kay gaagi man gud ang tubig dinhi pero karon wala tay nakita nga nasugdan o nahuman nga maong proyekto,” Gumapac said.

The matter reached the Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Mindanao (DPWH-10).

The agency has yet to issue a statement, citing directives from its national office. However, DPWH-10 confirmed that the project was implemented in Barangay San Simon under the First District Engineering Office and was completed in January 2025.

DPWH-10 explained that investigators may have been misled by incorrect coordinates on the project map, causing them to search in Baikingon.

Barangay San Simon Chairman Fernando Edrolin who accompanied GMA Regional TV One Mindanao to the project site, said they requested DPWH-10 to revise the original plan of the drainage system.

“Sa program of works, naa man gyud taklob so nagpadala me resolution nga i-revise na lang nga wala na lang taklob para makaabot gyud siya sa suba hantod nga nagkasabot gyud mi sa DPWH ug kontraktor nga ipaabot sa suba arun magamit diretso,” Edrolin said.

Edrolin added that some personalities had approached him to inquire about the project. He believes they were the same people who visited Baikingon previously.

DPWH-10 maintained that no ghost project has been monitored in the region.

“Sa DP (DPWH) nga gi-implement mo-confirm gyud ko nga walay ghost project kay moagi man gyud sila diri sa barangay,” Edrolin said.