Jamaine Punzalan

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and other officials inspect infrastructure projects in Pampanga, September 23, 2025. The officials checked the progress of the San Agustin Bridge in Camba and the Candating flood-control project in Arayat, both designed to improve mobility and strengthen the province’s disaster resilience against flooding. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FLOOD CONTROL PROBE

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175997683849820250923-flood-cointrol-pampanga-ici-MT16.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and other officials inspect infrastructure projects in Pampanga, September 23, 2025. The officials checked the progress of the San Agustin Bridge in Camba and the Candating flood-control project in Arayat, both designed to improve mobility and strengthen the province’s disaster resilience against flooding. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>— The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it had identified at least 421 “ghost” or non-existent projects in its inspection of around 8,000 structures so far, mostly for flood control.</p><p>DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally submitted the agency&#x27;s initial findings to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) office in Taguig.</p><p>Dizon said the ICI agreed that complaints related to the ghost projects could be filed quickly. </p><p>“Madaling establish yung accountability at liability kasi ghost nga… Hindi na mahaba yung case build-up nun. Hopefully mas mabilis tayo makapag-file ng kaso,” he said.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fvideos%2F2230430347459887%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Dizon noted that the ghost projects were different from substandard structures.  </p><p>He added that the DPWH still needed to inspect &quot;thousands&quot; of projects.  </p><p>“Ang dami nito, daang libong proyekto ‘tong kailangang i-validate,” Dizon said.</p><p>According to Dizon, he had discussions with ICI officials together with its special adviser, former PNP Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.  </p><p>“Napakalaki at napakahirap dahil si Gen. Magalong ang pinapalitan natin but kakayanin natin ito. Ang kinakailangan lang ay pagtulung-tulungan natin ‘to,” Azurin said.</p><p>“Definitely, hindi tayo papayag, lahat iimbestigahan natin lahat. Ang sa amin dito is we just take the cue jay justice,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/7/leviste-urges-dpwh-to-reduce-project-costs-by-25-to-prevent-kickbacks-1822">Lawmaker urges DPWH to reduce project costs by 25 percent to prevent kickbacks</a></div><p>Dizon also believes they could come up soon with strong cases against those personalities involved in this flood control mess.</p><p>“Our agreement is logical naman din…yung ghost kasi..madaling establish yung accountability at liability kasi ghost nga…hindi na mahaba yung case build-up nun. Hopefully mas mabilis tayo makapag-file ng kaso,” Dizon explained.</p><p>Even the Philippine Competition Commission, which also appeared before the ICI on Thursday said it is conducting continued probe on bid rigging but assured the public that there is due process.</p><p>”There is a process that has to be followed, obviously people who are involved — who are sued will be given a chance to comment and defend themselves. This is actually the first bid rigging case that but its obviously a priority,” PCC Chairperson Atty. Michael Aguinaldo said.</p><p>Meanwhile, the ICI also urged the DPWH to lower the threshold of the &quot;Levels of Authorities&quot; (LOA) for the procurement of civil works, including flood control projects.  </p><p>A Blue Ribbon Committee hearing revealed that the threshold for LOA procurement for civil works was increased to P150 million at the District Level from P100 million, and to P400 million at the Regional Level from P300 million in 2022.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; the ICI letter signed by Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. stated.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/bir-vows-to-go-after-other-contractors-public-officials-involved-in-flood-control-fiasco-1503">‘Walang ligtas’: BIR says to go after other contractors, public officials involved in flood control fiasco</a></div>

<p>The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it had identified at least 421 “ghost” or non-existent projects in its inspection of around 8,000 structures so far, mostly for flood control. </p>

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it had identified at least 421 “ghost” or non-existent projects in its inspection of around 8,000 structures so far, mostly for flood control.

DPWH uncovers 421 ghost projects out of 8, 000 inspected

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DPWH uncovers 421 ghost projects out of 8, 000 inspected

Johnson Manabat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 09, 2025 10:30 AM PHT

|

Updated Oct 09, 2025 05:58 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

corruption

flood control

baha

ICI

independent flood control probe

ghost projects

Vince Dizon

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