15 flood control projects ‘missing’ - Bonoan

Metro Manila, Philippines - Nearly a percent of around 1,600 flood control projects are considered missing, or their locations still to be determined, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

In a press briefing after the turnover ceremony of the agency leadership, Bonoan said the 15 “missing” or “non-existent” projects are different from the two ghost projects that were validated.

“Ghost project is something that has already been validated and really found out not to be there…And it has been submitted as completed and collected, the funds have been collected as well,” Bonoan said, pertaining to projects that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally visited in Bulacan.

“The non-existent for the time being is actually a matter of validating the locations of these projects,” he added.

Bonoan said around 9,800 projects have been completed from July 2022 to May 2025, which he submitted to the president.

The former Cabinet official said he will submit their findings to his successor, Vince Dizon, who vowed to cooperate with the planned independent commission that will investigate flood control projects.

Dizon has ordered all DPWH officials to submit courtesy resignations in a bid to stem corruption.

Leaving with clear conscience

Meanwhile, Bonoan said he left the department with a “clear conscience” amid the flood control scandal.

“I did the best that I can…I’m sure that we’ve done something good also (during) my tenure in three years, marami naman kaming nagawa [we’ve done a lot in three years],” he said.

Bonoan quit on Aug. 31, a day after he said in a video message he will not resign.

“The department has been under watch for quite some time and in order to give a fresh mandate and to look into these problems, the president decided to give it to Sec. Dizon,” he said.

Bonoan said he had no regrets in accepting the post, as he was grateful for the opportunity to work in the agency.