Dizon: DPWH discovers more than 100 'ghost', 'very substandard' projects
At A Glance
- The irregularities, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, stretched to as far as La Union, Oriental Mindoro, Nueva Viscaya, Eastern Samar and some parts in Mindanao.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday, September 18 said the agency has received reports of more than 100 “ghost” and or “very substandard” projects across the country in the last two weeks.
Dizon confirmed this at the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the anomalous flood control projects, saying the figures cropped up since he assumed post as the DPWH chief.
“Right now po, we have received more than a hundred reports already in only two weeks, of ghost or very substandard projects,” Dizon said in response to a question posed by Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
“And right now po, ang track po ng bagong team sa DPWH ay unang-una dahil nga po nabuo ng ating Pangulo ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure (And right now, that is the primary track of the new DPWH team in response to the President’s creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure),” he said.
Dizon said they are now coordinating with the ICI “very, very closely.”
“Bawat po project na nag-report, nagbubukas po kami ng case file dito. Ini-inspection po natin, either personally or yung pong mga ibang kasama natin sa team (We open a case file for each project that is reported. We inspect it, either personally or together with other teams),” he added.
The irregularities, according to Dizon, stretched to as far as La Union, Oriental Mindoro, Nueva Viscaya, Eastern Samar and some parts in Mindanao.
He also said they have coordinated with the ICI so they can conduct a separate investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.
President Marcos earlier established the ICI that will conduct a separate, independent investigation into the controversies surrounding alleged “ghost” and substandard flood control projects in light of the controversial lifestyles of DPWH executives and some contractors.
Moreover, Dizon said the DPWH has filed at least 26 individual cases against some of the agency’s officials who are involved in corruption, as well as some contractors like the Discayas and the owners of Wawao Builders.