Former Cebu Third District congressman Pablo John “PJ” Garcia has called for a joint on-site inspection of two flood mitigation projects in Balamban, saying a coordinated verification by government agencies and stakeholders would help resolve allegations that the projects are “ghost projects.”
Garcia issued the call after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended the filing of criminal charges against two contractors and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over alleged irregularities involving flood control projects in Barangay Singsing.
He said the issue should be addressed through a joint reinspection involving the NBI, DPWH, and the Commission on Audit (COA), instead of public exchanges of accusations.
“The solution is simple. A joint reinspection conducted by the NBI, the DPWH and COA,” Garcia said.
Garcia also proposed opening the inspection to media representatives, civil society groups, bloggers, vloggers, and other interested members of the public.
“Jointly, let us see with our own eyes, and not through speculation, whether the projects are really there,” he said.
He maintained that the flood control structures in question had already been completed, turned over, and accepted by concerned local government units, and were likewise audited by COA.
Garcia said the structures have remained in place and had even withstood flooding brought by Typhoon Tino.
“The facts are simple: THERE ARE NO GHOST PROJECTS,” he said.
He explained that the dispute centers on the exact location of the projects rather than their existence, noting that DPWH geotagging places the structures within Barangay Singsing as indicated in project documents under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
However, Garcia said the NBI’s findings suggest the structures may extend several meters into neighboring Barangay Cantuod along the same river system.
“Naa ang duha ka proyekto, nagbarog, nagamit na ilabi na sa miaging baha. Ang gilalisan lang mao kon nahimutang ba gyud sa Barangay Singsing, kon milapas ba ngadto pipila ka metro, sa iyang silingang barangay, Barangay Cantuod along the same river,” Garcia said.
He added that, based on his assessment, the issue does not amount to a “ghost project.”
Garcia also urged caution in using the term, saying it is a serious allegation that may affect not only elected officials but also career government employees involved in project implementation.
“Maghinay-hinay kita paggamit nianang termino nga ‘ghost project’ because it is a highly charged and emotional term, and careers of professional civil servants are at stake,” he said.
The case stems from an NBI investigation launched in December 2025 following reports of alleged anomalies in two flood control projects in Balamban.
Investigators later recommended the filing of criminal complaints after finding discrepancies between contract coordinates and the actual project site.
The DPWH, meanwhile, has maintained that one of the projects had been transferred to another barangay.
Garcia said a joint inspection would allow all parties to verify the facts on the ground through a transparent and public process.
Photo courtesy of GMA Network
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