‘Ghost’ flood control projects worth ₱306 million in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, have been reported to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after allegations that the signature of Mayor Renato Gustilo was falsified in official documents.

In an interview with Joe Alingasa, spokesperson of Mayor Gustilo, on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, he confirmed that the mayor’s signature had been forged in the contracts.

“Una po, masaklap po yung nangyari kasi siya mismo nakita niya na hindi niya pirma yung notice to proceed… ibang-iba talaga dun sa stroke ng pirma ni Mayor,” Alingasa said.

The contracts involved include:

• ₱151 million for flood control structures in Palampas River, Barangay Palampas by Apo General Construction from Mountain Province;
• ₱77 million for works in Ando-on River, Barangay Rizal by EKC Construction from La Trinidad, Benguet;
• ₱77 million for structures in Higalaman River, Barangays Rizal and 4, by Jaben General Contracting and Engineering Services from Baguio City

“Yung project sir, dati na yan at na-implement na po yan ng DPWH dito ng ibang mga contractor,” Alingasa emphasized.

The San Carlos City Council questioned why DPWH continued allocating funds for projects that had already been completed.

“So what I’m going to reveal and to expose is yung tatlo na wala talaga. Double talagang sinadyang pondohan ulit para lahat ng pondo eh kita na dahil tapos na yung project,” Alingasa said.

“Hindi nga namin alam bakit tapos na, pinopondohan pa,” he added.

The city government also denied any political involvement, stressing that no congressman or senator influenced or endorsed the projects.