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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Probe underway on 'ghost' flood control projects – DPWH

Probe underway on 'ghost' flood control projects – DPWH

Published Aug 6, 2025 03:57 pm
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday, Aug. 6, committed to investigating reported “ghost” flood control projects flagged by lawmakers to ensure accountability.
“This is something we need to validate—whether a so-called ghost project truly exists—because this is a one-to-one process,” DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.
“If, for example, we report a project and it cannot be found on the ground, only then can we consider it a ghost project,” he added.
The issue gained attention after Senator Panfilo Lacson urged authorities to hold accountable those behind irregular flood control projects, emphasizing the need for sanctions to prevent similar anomalies.
“The most effective mechanism is the certainty of punishment. Someone must be held accountable. Because if not, the flood control mess will continue, with the culprits lying low and then going back to business,” Lacson said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, likewise warned that any government official involved in the misuse of flood control funds—regardless of political affiliation—would face legal consequences.
Earlier, the DPWH admitted that several flood control projects, especially those introduced through congressional insertions, proceeded without proper technical evaluation and were not covered by a comprehensive monitoring system.

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