Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17877387065591787738704368.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building is seen in this photo taken on August 25, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways has so far identified 10 alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan and Davao Occidental, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed during the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing, on Wednesday, August 26.</p><p>The issue was raised by Samar 1st District Rep. Stephen James Tan, who asked Dizon whether the department has the number of alleged ghost flood control projects discovered nationwide.</p><p>Dizon said the investigation is ongoing and is being conducted with government agencies.</p><p>Pressed for a preliminary figure, the secretary responded that the 10 ghost projects currently identified are in two areas.</p><p>“Right now po, it’s just two, it’s just two areas, it’s Bulacan and Davao Occidental.”</p><p>The exchange prompted Tan to put the number in the context of the DPWH’s nationwide structure, noting that the department has 183 district offices, aside from its regional and central offices.</p><p>Tan also questioned whether the controversy over ghost projects and the resulting scrutiny had contributed to the slowdown in infrastructure spending.</p><p>Dizon acknowledged the need to balance faster spending with stronger safeguards adding he sees the bigger issue is of substandard projects rather than &quot;ghost&quot;, or non-existent, ones.</p><p>The DPWH chief said infrastructure that exists but fails to meet required standards should also be investigated.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/26/bulacan-governor-explains-remark-on-more-than-40-b-flood-control-projects-0111">Bulacan governor explains remark on more than ₱40-B flood control projects</a></div><p>Dizon said the agency is being pushed to increase infrastructure spending but insisted that projects must be implemented properly.</p><p>He also questioned the practice of making payments to contractors significantly ahead of actual physical accomplishment.</p><p>“Hindi na po pwedeng magbabayad tayo na sa contractor na hindi pa, kung ang physical accomplishment 20 percent, tapos ang bayad sa contractor ay 80 percent.”</p><p>(We cannot keep paying contractors 80 percent when their physical accomplishment is only 20 percent.)</p><p>For Dizon, ensuring that government money is spent properly is as important as increasing the pace of infrastructure spending.</p><p>The secretary said the DPWH is now tightening its project planning and validation procedures to prevent problems before construction begins.</p><p>He said district engineers and implementing offices must be accountable for certifying that projects are ready for implementation.</p><p>Dizon said the reforms are intended to address what he described as long-standing weaknesses in the department’s project planning system.</p><p>Meanwhile, he said the DPWH’s assessment of alleged ghost and substandard projects continues in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation, police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Commission on Audit and the Department of Justice.</p><p>The department is expected to submit a report to the House committee once the ongoing assessment produces more definitive findings.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/dpwh-seeks-p83-84-billion-for-locally-funded-flood-control-says-no-leadership-fund-in-2027-1538">DPWH seeks P83.84-B for locally-funded flood control, says no ‘leadership fund’ in 2027 budget</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Ws1il3P-nY?si=2pMMlgXkNmazV8uY" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Public Works and Highways has so far identified 10 alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan and Davao Occidental, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed during the House Committee on Appropriations’ budget hearing, on Wednesday, August 26.</p>

The Department of Public Works and Highways has so far identified 10 alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan and Davao Occidental, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed during the House Committee on Appropriations’ budget hearing, on Wednesday, August 26.

DPWH: 10 alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects in Bulacan, Davao Occidental identified so far

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DPWH: 10 alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects in Bulacan, Davao Occidental identified so far

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 06:42 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

House of Representatives

Budget Hearing

Committee of Appropriations

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