Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon exposed at least three non-existent flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, despite these being funded and itemized in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The discovery came during an inspection in Barangay Tagumpay, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to the DPWH to investigate irregularities in flood control projects nationwide.

According to Dizon, the supposed projects along Panggalan River, Tubig River, and Catuiran River had no structures, no construction, and no signs of implementation.

“Wala akong nakikitang proyekto dito. Guni-guni ito, wala akong nakikitang proyekto eh,” he said in frustration during the site visit with Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor.

Dizon also found that an existing flood control project in Barangay Tagumpay was built with substandard quality, raising further questions on accountability and oversight.

He stressed that the inclusion of projects in the GAA is meant to guarantee transparency through line-item budgeting.

“Ang purpose ng GAA ay para malaman natin kung nasaan ang proyekto… para makita ng tao at malaman kung meron ba o wala,” Dizon explained.

Project Anomalies

Dizon later on said a recurring pattern is emerging in the anomalous projects, citing cases where bidding, notice to proceed, and payment were processed within days of each other.

“Ang nakikita natin dito, mayroon talagang pattern. Halos pare-pareho. ‘Yung magkakasunod na araw ng bidding, notice to proceed at payment. Hindi ako magtataka sa ibang lugar na ganun din,” Dizon said.

He added that the agency has already received hundreds of reports involving ghost projects and substandard works, which will be investigated and addressed along the way.