Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Vince Dizon said on Thursday another fully paid “ghost” flood control project was found in Davao Occidental.
The project “appears barely started despite being funded during the previous administration,” DPWH stated in a social media post.
The project at the Culaman Bridge site in San Jose Abad Santos which was scheduled in 2021-2022, was found to be incomplete and appeared to be only in its initial stages.
DPWH said the project was intended to prevent flooding in the adjacent community and a local school.
DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo Larete admitted that the St. Timothy Construction Company had already been fully paid for the project.
St. Timothy, the winning bidder, is owned by the Discayas.
According to local barangay residents, no significant work had been completed.
The discovery highlights a severe case of a paid-for public infrastructure project failing to materialize, leaving the community without vital flood protection, DPWH said. — Myla Iglesias
