MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has discovered at least 421 “ghost projects” following an extensive inspection of around 8,000 infrastructure undertakings nationwide, most of which were related to flood control.
Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency’s preliminary report has been turned over to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for further action.
“Madaling i-establish ‘yung accountability at liability kasi ghost nga… Hindi na mahaba yung case build-up. Hopefully mas mabilis tayo makapag-file ng kaso,” Dizon said, emphasizing that these non-existent projects were separate from substandard or incomplete works.
DPWH is validating “thousands” more of other projects under its watch, Dizon added. “Ang dami nito, daang libong proyekto ‘tong kailangang i-validate.”
Following the findings, the ICI called on the DPWH to tighten its procurement authority thresholds for civil works, particularly flood control initiatives, amid ongoing corruption probes.
A recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing revealed that in 2022, the allowable spending limits were raised — from P100 million to P150 million for district offices, and from P300 million to P400 million for regional offices.
“In the course of the continuing investigations of this Commission in relation to anomalous flood control projects and corruption within the DPWH, it has come to our attention that the LOA for the procurement of civil works that were previously allowed by former DPWH secretary Manual Bonoan should be decreased by at least half,” the ICI letter signed by Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. stated.
Under the ICI’s proposal, district offices would have a limit of P75 million, while regional offices would be capped at P200 million.
Dizon has yet to issue a formal response to the commission’s recommendation.
The simultaneous discoveries of ghost projects and calls for stricter procurement controls have intensified scrutiny on the DPWH’s internal systems, as authorities push to prevent misuse of public funds in future infrastructure programs./PN
