The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed on Thursday, October 9, that it discovered 421 ghost flood control projects out of 8,000 projects investigated in collaboration with other government agencies.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed during a press briefing, noting that the audit was conducted jointly with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).
“Out of the 8,000, ang na-validate na ghost ng AFP, DND at NEDA ay 421,” Dizon said. (Out of the 8,000, the ones validated as ghosts by the AFP, DND, and NEDA are 421.)
According to Dizon, the ghost projects were scattered across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with a significant number concentrated in Luzon. He emphasized that these are only preliminary findings, as around 100,000 more projects remain subject to validation.
The ongoing audit aims to expose fraudulent infrastructure spending and strengthen transparency within the DPWH. Dizon added that since the identified projects do not physically exist, establishing accountability and pursuing legal action will be much faster and clearer.
“Because these are ghost projects, we already have the documentary evidence we need to file cases,” Dizon explained. He assured the public that the department is now preparing the initial batch of complaints for filing before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Executive Director Brian Hosaka said the latest findings would help the commission set a more precise direction in its investigation. He also mentioned that ICI adviser Rodolfo Azurin would personally examine the newly discovered ghost flood control projects.
The controversy surrounding ghost flood control projects first came to light during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he called for a comprehensive review of government infrastructure spending.
Following the SONA, the President conducted spot inspections of suspected ghost project sites, which triggered parallel congressional inquiries. These investigations later revealed an alleged kickback scheme involving DPWH officials and prominent lawmakers, including Senator Chiz Escudero and resigned Congressman Zaldy Co.
As the probe continues, the DPWH vowed to uphold transparency and accountability, ensuring that public funds are spent solely on legitimate infrastructure projects that directly benefit Filipino communities.