As of the 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) Annual Audit Report covering CY 2022, several flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) — particularly in Region IV-A (CALABARZON) — were flagged for having “no physical existence” despite receiving millions in funding. These became collectively known in media and congressional hearings as the “Flood Control Ghost Projects.”
While COA did not officially use the term “ghost projects,” its audit observations strongly implied that the funded infrastructure either:
- Was never built,
- Was misreported as completed, or
- Lacked verifiable physical accomplishment matching the amount disbursed.
📌 List of Flagged Flood Control Projects (as reported by COA and cited in Senate/House hearings):
1. Laguna Province Projects (Majority of flagged items)
These were the most prominent and involved large sums:
➤ Flood Mitigation and Slope Protection along Barangay Mayondon, Los Baños, Laguna
- Allotted Budget: ₱100 million (CY 2022)
- COA Finding: No visible structure or physical accomplishment on site as of audit cut-off. Satellite imagery and on-site validation showed no construction.
- DPWH Claim: Later stated it was “slope protection” work, not concrete structures, and may have involved bioengineering (e.g., vegetation), but failed to provide sufficient documentation or geotagged proof.
➤ Flood Mitigation along Barangay Bubuyan, Calamba City, Laguna
- Allotted Budget: ₱100 million
- COA Finding: No physical infrastructure found; site inspection revealed only natural creek with no improvements.
- Note: DPWH later claimed “soft engineering” was done, but COA insisted documentation and validation were lacking.
➤ Slope Protection along Barangay Palingon, Bay, Laguna
- Allotted Budget: ₱100 million
- COA Finding: No physical structure; terrain unchanged from pre-project state.
➤ Flood Control along Barangay Mabato, Calauan, Laguna
- Allotted Budget: ₱100 million
- COA Finding: No visible flood control infrastructure; project appeared non-existent.
➤ Flood Mitigation along Barangay San Antonio, San Pablo City, Laguna
- Allotted Budget: ₱100 million
- COA Finding: No physical accomplishment; site unchanged.
💡 Total for Laguna alone: At least ₱500 million across 5 projects flagged with “no physical existence.”
2. Other Flagged Projects in CALABARZON
➤ Cavite Province – Slope Protection in Barangay Amaya 1, Tanza
- Budget: ₱100 million
- COA Finding: No verifiable slope protection structure found; minimal or no physical output.
➤ Batangas – Flood Control in Barangay Alangilan, Batangas City
- Budget: ₱100 million
- COA Finding: Site inspection showed no flood control infrastructure matching the scope and cost.
🧾 COA’s Official Language (Not “Ghost,” but Equivalent Meaning)
COA’s audit notes typically stated:
“No physical existence of the project was validated during the audit. Supporting documents, such as geotagged photos and progress reports, were either incomplete or not reflective of actual on-ground accomplishment.”
“Disbursement of funds was not in accordance with the physical progress of the project.”
🕵️♂️ Senate & House Findings (2023–2024)
During Senate Blue Ribbon and House Good Government Committee hearings:
- Lawmakers visited several sites and confirmed COA’s findings — empty creeks, no retaining walls, no slope protection structures.
- Contractors involved were linked to “anomalous bidding patterns” and repeated project awards.
- Some projects were allegedly “lumped” or “repackaged” across years without actual implementation.
🏗️ DPWH’s Defense (as of mid-2024)
DPWH claimed:
- Some projects involved “non-structural” or “bioengineering” measures (e.g., vegetation, riprap, slope grading) not easily visible.
- Documentation lapses occurred due to field staff turnover or reporting errors.
- They are revalidating projects and vowed to recover funds if fraud is proven.
However, COA and lawmakers stressed that even “soft” projects must have verifiable output, geotagged progress photos, and third-party validation — which were largely missing.
📊 Summary Table
Total Flagged (Publicly Identified): At least ₱700 million across 7 projects — though COA hinted more may exist in unreleased annexes.
⚖️ Current Legal & Investigative Status (Mid-2024)
- Ombudsman: Preliminary investigation ongoing; possible charges of technical malversation, falsification, or graft.
- Senate Blue Ribbon: Continues oversight; may issue contempt or subpoena if cooperation falters.
- COA: Recommended disallowance of funds and filing of administrative cases.
- DOJ: Evaluating evidence for possible criminal prosecution.
🔍 Where to Find Official Sources
COA 2023 Annual Audit Report (DPWH-CALABARZON)
➤ https://www.coa.gov.ph → Reports → Annual Audit Reports → CY 2022 → DPWHSenate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing Transcripts (Nov 2023–Mar 2024)
➤ https://legacy.senate.gov.ph
✅ Conclusion
The so-called “ghost projects” are real audit findings — not media exaggerations. COA officially documented at least seven major flood control projects (mostly in Laguna) worth ₱700 million with no verifiable physical output. While DPWH offers explanations, the burden of proof remains unmet, and investigations are active. The term “ghost” may be unofficial, but the substance — missing infrastructure despite full funding — is very much real and under legal scrutiny.
Stay tuned for updates from COA, Ombudsman, and congressional inquiries as the 2024–2025 period unfolds.
