Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Adviser and Retired General Jun Azurin Jr. said on Thursday that there have been no non-existent or “ghost” flood control projects discovered in Ilocos Norte.

Azurin said that although there are no fictitious projects, it has yet to be determined whether these existing projects are up to standard.

Moreover, his team of engineers will be carrying on with inspections of other flood control projects in provinces under the top 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself, according to a report by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.

“Nakita na natin na among sa mga pinuntahan nating mga projects, at least walang ‘ghost’ na nakita. And then, as to the standard, ‘yun ngayon ang iva-validate natin. And ‘yung mga maiiwan na engineers dito, titingnan pa nila ‘yung ibang mga project,” Azurin said.

The ICI, alongside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), first inspected the projects near Bongo Bridge and Sinigbit Creek in Nueva Era, then proceeded to two more projects in Vintar.

In a report by Arlene Domingsil of DZJC Laoag, the Nueva Era projects were made by the controversial Discayas. They were damaged in July but repaired already.

Meanwhile, the project in Vintar, built in 2022, sustained damages in 2023. It has also been repaired.

The DPWH also assured that the ICI would be given full access to the agency’s records regarding the flood control projects.

“Nabilinan po ni (DPWH) Secretary Vince (Dizon) ay bigyan ng full access ang ICI sa investigation na isinasagawa. Ang full access na ito, hindi na po sa central office, maging sa regional office ho natin, tsaka mga district engineering office,” DPWH Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar said.