Smoking gun reveals proof of ghost projects in Bicol

By Manuel T. Ugalde

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), currently investigating a nationwide public works scandal, has reportedly begun validating suspected ghost and substandard infrastructure projects in all six provinces of the Bicol Region.

The Bicol regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has long been tagged as a hotbed of corruption, as previously cited by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission during the Duterte administration.

Last week, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon reported that ICI had discovered 421 ghost projects out of the 8,000 already validated nationwide. He added that Bicol is the next focus of the commission’s investigations.

A source at the DPWH regional office in Legazpi revealed that ICI teams—composed of representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of National Defense, and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPD)—began inspecting supposedly completed projects in the region as early as last week.

On September 11, concerned Bicolano citizens, supported by the Diocese of Legazpi, launched Bungkaras Bicol, a coalition for environmental protection, accountability, and transparency.

Citing official records, Bungkaras Bicol disclosed that the region received the second-highest allocation for flood control projects nationwide—amounting to ₱49.61 billion for 2023–2024. This covered 866 projects, many of which were reportedly flawed, incomplete, substandard, or outright non-existent. These questionable projects were nonetheless declared completed and paid for, indicating strong evidence of corruption.

Cecilio Francisco, a Filipino-American veteran journalist based in California who is currently in Bicol investigating flood and environmental issues, particularly the impact of Mayon Volcano quarrying, stated that the aggressive quarrying has alarmed Filipinos abroad. He said the three-month suspension of quarry operations by Albay Governor Noel Rosal is only a temporary measure and fails to address the root of the problem.

Rosal himself expressed shock upon inspecting the damaged areas surrounding Mayon, noting massive excavations, deep cuts, and large volumes of stockpiled gravel encroaching into the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. He warned of increased risks of major flooding, which Albay has already started to experience in recent years.

Francisco, who is conducting his own month-long investigation across Albay, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur, said ghost projects in these areas are being “literally described” at the DPWH as overpriced, contradicting regional director Virgilio Eduarte’s earlier claim that no ghost projects exist in Bicol.

The Senate Finance Committee has also uncovered alarming anomalies in the farm-to-market roads program. One example cited was the 370-meter road concreting project in Barangay Kidaku, Daraga, Albay, which had an actual construction cost of ₱15,000 per meter but was reported at ₱30,000 per meter—a 100% overprice.

The committee noted that of the ₱10.9 billion allocated for farm-to-market roads in 2023–2024, Bicol received funding for 1,063 projects. At least 80 of them were found to be grossly overpriced, including the Kidaku project.

Francisco explained that the overpricing in Kidaku means that the excess budget—₱15,000 per meter—could have funded another 370-meter road. “In plain and simple terms, it’s a ghost or non-existent project disguised as overpricing,” he said.

It may be recalled that Secretary Dizon ordered the suspension of internal audits by DPWH regional offices following President Marcos’ creation of the ICI, prompted by the discovery of widespread ghost projects in Bulacan.

At least five Bicol-based construction firms were named by President Marcos among the country’s 15 most notorious contractors involved in the ₱500 billion flood control fund scandal. These firms allegedly collaborated with corrupt DPWH officials and lawmakers. The firms include:

Sunwest Construction and Development

Hi-Tone Construction and Development, owned by former Ako Bicol party-list congressmen Zaldy Co and Christopher Co

Centerways Construction, owned by Laurence Lubiano of Sorsogon

Makapa Construction, owned by Carlos Loria of Legazpi, now a congressman

In a recent privilege speech, Catanduanes Provincial Board Member Edwin Tanael cited 44 flood control projects in the province, six of which were implemented by a local contractor under the name Merlita Rodriguez, wife of Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez.

According to Tanael, the six projects had a combined budget of almost ₱400 million, with two of them being river dikes in the same barangay—each costing ₱38.5 million and ₱38.6 million, respectively.