To see is to believe.
This was the point made by Quezon City First District Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde when last week he personally inspected the sites of the seven flood control and drainage projects in his district that had been falsely labeled as “ghost projects,” and confirmed that these are real, verifiable, and in good condition.
“Walang ghost projects sa atin. Walang multo sa Distrito Uno. Wala pong basehan ang mga sinasabi na nonexistent ang mga ito. Baka kailangan lang ng maayos na coordination para accurate ang information tungkol sa projects,” Atayde said, following his visit to seven project sites in Barangays Bahay Toro, Del Monte, Project 6, and San Antonio.
“Ang mga proyektong ito ay hindi multo—makikita, mahahawakan, at napapakinabangan.”
The inspections confirmed the findings of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office, which stated in a September 19 letter to Atayde that “all projects are verifiable on site,” referring to the seven alleged projects with no coordinates.
According to the DPWH, out of the 66 alleged ghost projects named in the media, only seven projects were located within Atayde’s district—all of which have been completed or are ongoing, with proper documentation, correct coordinates, and photographic evidence.
Among the verified projects were four projects covering the construction of flood control structures along Culiat Creek and Dario Creek in Barangay Bahay Toro, the rehabilitation of Drainage Road 3 in Project 6, the construction of the West Riverside Pumping Station in Barangay Del Monte, and the construction of a flood control structure along San Francisco River in Bgy. San Antonio.
Atayde said that the status of the said sites were consistent with the evaluation of the DPWH. Of the seven projects, five have already been completed while two have been suspended due to pending issues.
Atayde said he personally visited these sites to assure his constituents that public funds were used properly and that the allegations regarding ghost projects in his district were baseless.
Aside from the seven projects, Atayde also visited two additional flood control projects to assess their status. The construction of a flood control structure along Dario Creek has been completed, while the construction of a flood control structure along Mariblo Creek has been suspended.
Atayde said he personally visited these sites to assure his constituents that public funds were used properly and that the allegations regarding ghost projects in his district were baseless.
“Ang mga proyektong ito ay hindi multo—makikita, mahahawakan, at napapakinabangan. Mukhang napaaga ang Halloween para sa ibang tao.”
“Pero seriously po, sana po bago magbintang, bago magturo, sana i-verify naman nila ang info nila. We all want to end corruption and to jail the corrupt, but we won’t succeed in our battle against corruption if we punish the wrong people,” lamented the lawmaker.
Atayde reiterated that it was not possible for him to benefit from flood control projects as these are DPWH projects, “nandyan na po sa NEP, at hindi ko pwedeng ipasok na lang sa GAA (General Appropriations Act) dahil di naman ako member ng Bicam.”
“Malaking bagay na mismo ang implementing agency ang nagsabi na walang ghost projects sa aming distrito. The evidence speaks for itself, and the evidence speaks the truth.”
