Solons ask NBI to probe ghost projects in Eastern Samar
LIBANAN (FB)
BORONGAN CITY – House Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan and Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales have asked the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate alleged ghost projects in the province.
These projects were the P3-billion San Rafael rock-netting project, the P193-million flood control project in Barangay Divinubo, the P186-million project in Barangay Siha here, Barangay Soong, Llorente, and Hernani which have been reported to be completed early this year but are now being constructed.
They wrote the NBI to ensure that cases will be filed against those responsible for the alleged anomalous projects from 2019 to 2015.
Libanan believes in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s sincerity in holding those responsible for the alleged corruption in the flood-control projects accountable.
“Kapag nagsalita ang presidente, buhay na salita ‘yan… Lalo na kapag sinabi ng Pangulo in a State-of-the-Nation Address,” Libanan said, adding that everyone must be working towards the same direction.
Gonzales questioned the amount of flood-control projects implemented in the municipality of Oras that reached over P800 million, considering that other nearby municipalities such as Maslog, Dolores, Arteche, Can-avid, and Jipapad also suffer from severe flooding.
Emeterio Dongalio Jr., NBI-8 director, said since these areas were specific, they will conduct on-site investigations in all the projects.
“This is a very sensitive issue. Big people might be involved but we in the NBI, actually, professionally as NBI personnel, and personally as a Filipino, I want (these allegations) to be answered if they are true or not because this is for all of us. This is our nation’s money involving billions of pesos,” he said.
“With respect to the politicians, of course, it remains to be seen…Kung may matumbok tayong mga contractor or DPWH official, at magsalita rin sila. Paakyat na ‘yan.”
He added that they are still waiting for the mandate from the top management on whether they will continue the investigation in other parts of the region.
Newly installed Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineer Jehela Roxas vehemently denied the presence of ghost projects in the province.
She noted that the projects have experienced delays due to documentary requirements and environmental factors.