The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Mindanao (DPWH-10) has maintained that the projects included in the list released by resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, which he claimed formed part of the alleged P100 billion “budget insertions” in the proposed 2025 national budget, exist.

Co, the former House Committee on Appropriations chairman, released the list of infrastructure projects under the alleged P100 billion “budget insertions” after he accused President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of having knowledge about the anomalous flood control projects.

At least 16 of the projects cited in the list are in Northern Mindanao, particularly in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro City.

DPWH-10 said that of the 16 projects identified, eight are already under construction. Verification is being undertaken, as of this writing, on eight other projects to determine if bidding has commenced.

One of these projects is a P96-million road concreting project in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

DPWH-10 said this is not a “ghost project” since the construction is ongoing, with 60 meters already completed, according to the project engineer of the contractor, Suprea Philippines Development.

Two other road concreting projects in Barangay Lubilan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental with a combined project cost of P200 million are also ongoing.

Meanwhile, the road concreting projects in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental and Talakag, Bukidnon, both cost P220 million, also continue to progress, as of this writing.

DPWH-11 maintained that it has not monitored any ghost projects in the region and continues to conduct monitoring on all infrastructure projects under its jurisdiction.