NBI to validate DPWH claims of no ghost projects

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)–Bacolod will verify the claims of the six engineering districts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Negros Occidental that no “ghost projects” were implemented under their jurisdiction.

NBI–Bacolod chief Manuel Fayre Jr. said the district engineers made the declaration as the bureau continues its investigation into flood control projects in the province.

Fayre said, “All six district engineers claimed they are 100 percent sure that no ghost project was implemented in Negros Occidental.”

“That is very good — if it is true,” he added.

The NBI–Bacolod is investigating infrastructure projects implemented from 2022 to 2025.

Fayre said the investigation focuses on flood control and drainage projects that received significant public funding in recent years.

He also confirmed that all six DPWH district engineers have complied with subpoenas requiring them to submit a comprehensive list of projects within their respective jurisdictions.

However, he noted that all submitted documents will be cross-checked with records posted on the official DPWH website to ensure accuracy and identify any discrepancies.

Fayre described the engineers as “very cooperative.”

He added that the NBI will issue additional subpoenas to obtain geotagged documentation for both completed and ongoing flood control projects across the province.

Fayre acknowledged that validating every project on the ground will be a tedious process.

He said the bureau will also seek community cooperation to confirm whether the reported projects were actually built and are operational.

The NBI is among the agencies under the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a national body tasked with investigating alleged corruption in public works, especially flood control projects implemented over the past decade.

Fayre previously disclosed that based on the NBI–Bacolod’s initial findings, around 10 to 12 flood control projects are implemented annually in Negros Occidental.

He emphasized that the investigation seeks to determine whether these projects match official records and existing infrastructure.

The ICI was created to bolster transparency and accountability in public works spending amid growing allegations of corruption in nationwide infrastructure programs.

The NBI, Commission on Audit (COA), and Office of the Ombudsman are key agencies supporting the ICI’s ongoing probe.

Flood control projects, often backed by multi-million-peso budgets, have long been under scrutiny due to reports of overpricing, duplication, and the existence of “ghost” or non-existent projects.

Negros Occidental, which is prone to flooding due to its river systems and geography, receives one of the largest flood control allocations in Western Visayas.

The outcome of the NBI–Bacolod’s investigation is expected to help determine whether the province’s infrastructure funds were properly used.