QUEZON CITY – A sweeping investigation by the Quezon City government has uncovered massive irregularities, including hundreds of alleged “ghost projects,” within the national government’s flood control program, sparking outrage and leading to potential legal action.
Mayor Joy Belmonte revealed the findings, expressing fury over what she described as a systemic lack of coordination and transparency from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The probe centers on 254 flood control projects reportedly worth a staggering ₱17 billion, initiated since 2022.
Key Findings of the Investigation:
The city’s investigation yielded several alarming discoveries:
- Lack of Coordination: Out of the 254 projects, only two had proper coordination with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU).
- “Ghost Projects”: Mayor Belmonte stated that many projects have been identified as “ghost projects.” She personally concluded that 35 projects not listed in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) fit this description. “As a normal person, for me, I believe those are ghost projects,” Belmonte said.
- Zero Completion, Identical Costs: Shockingly, none of the projects have been completed, and many were found to have identical contract prices.
- Withheld Documentation: The DPWH failed to provide the Quezon City LGU with critical “Program of Works” documents. These documents, which are essential before any project bidding, detail the specific materials, timelines, and technical specifications. The city was only given general information like project titles and amounts.
- Contradiction to Master Plan: A staggering 94% of the projects (305 out of 331 reviewed) were found to be not in accordance with the city’s drainage master plan. Consequently, many projects were built in areas that are not flood-prone, potentially increasing flood risks for other communities.
- Funding Irregularities: The investigation found that 157 projects were funded under the 2022-2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), while 117 were not. An additional 12 projects had multiple phases, with one—the San Juan Flood Mitigation Project—ballooning from an initial 66 phases to 92.
Government Response and Next Steps
In response to these findings, the Quezon City government is taking decisive action:
- Cease and Desist Orders: The LGU plans to issue cease and desist orders for projects currently under construction, particularly those identified as increasing flood risk.
- Submission to Oversight Body: The results of the investigation will be submitted to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure for further scrutiny and action.
- Technical Audit: The next step involves a technical audit in cooperation with the UP Resilience Institute, NOAA Center, and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers to determine if any of the projects can be salvaged for public benefit.
- Political Allegations: The scandal has also taken a political turn. Mayor Belmonte confirmed she has spoken with four congressmen, who were named by a certain “Discaya” in Senate proceedings, regarding their alleged involvement. She emphasized that her pursuit of the truth is without political protection, even for allies.
The investigation has also highlighted a specific contractor, a construction firm owned by “Discaya,” which was awarded 27 projects worth ₱1.52 billion.
This expose points to a profound breakdown in governance and accountability, with billions in public funds intended for critical infrastructure allegedly lost to corruption and inefficiency, leaving the residents of Quezon City more vulnerable to flooding.#
