Four hundred twenty-one out of 8,000 infrastructure projects were found to be ghost projects related to flood control, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed.

“We briefed the ICI on our initial findings as of October 6. And initially, 8,000 projects all over the country were validated, and out of the 8,000 ang na-validate na ghost ng ng AFP, DND, at NEDA ay 421,” Dizon announced Thursday, October 9.

During the press conference at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) office in Taguig City, Dizon confirmed that the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) inspected the 8,000 infrastructure projects.

The three agencies concluded that 421 of them are ghost projects. However, Dizon clarified that this is just the initial validation, as thousands of projects are still pending.

“Initial pa lang ito, kasi madami ito…Libong proyekto itong kailangan i-validate. Pero ‘yung initial na 8,000 ay na-validate na at prinesent na namin ‘yon. Out of that 412 ang ghost projects,” he said.

Dizon mentioned that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was the one who instructed the DEPDev, AFP, and PNP to help them validate the projects on the ground, stating, “Hirap ang DPWH sa dami ng mga proyekto na kailangan i-validate.”

RH Jecelle Ricafort reported that Dizon personally submitted the initial findings dated October 6 to the ICI.

The DPWH Secretary discussed and presented their findings with the independent body, together with the new special adviser, Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

Moreover, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka stated that the agency’s findings are a great help with their ongoing probe.