QUEZON City First District Representative Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for debunking the claim of his political opponents that there are also non-existent or ‘ghost projects’ in his congressional district.
Citing a letter from the DPWH dated September 19, the agency confirmed that “all projects are verifiable on site,” referring to the seven flood control and drainage projects undertaken in the first district thru the effort of his office that his detractors claimed cannot be geo-located.
Despite the assurance, Atayde last October 21 personally inspected the projects located in barangays, Bahay Toro, Del Monte, Project 6, and San Antonio.
“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 mga ito,” Atayde later informed the media thru a press statement.
It can be recalled that private contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya and his wife Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya, who are now at the center of the multi-billion flood control projects controversy, claimed in their testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last September 8 that Atayde is among the lawmakers they dealt with regarding the implementation of flood control projects in their respective districts.
Atayde, however, repeatedly denied their allegation, insisting he has never done any business with the couple.
According to the DPWH, out of the 66 alleged ghost projects named in the media, the seven projects located within Atayde’s district 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 the status of the said sites are 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.
“Ang mga proyektong ito ay hindi multo—makikita, mahahawakan, at napapakinabangan. Mukhang napaaga ang Halloween para sa ibang tao,” he joked.
“But seriously, 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,” he pointed out.
Atayde pointed out 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 puwedeng ipasok na lang sa GAA (General Appropriations Act) dahil di naman ako member ng BiCam.”
He was referring to the Bicameral Conference Committee (BiCam) of both chambers of Congress that reconcile conflicting provisions of the general appropriations bill (GAB) before it is submitted to Malacañang for approval.