An Australian audit confirmed six flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro are real but noted construction flaws and safety issues. Auditors urged stricter contractor checks and reforms, while the DPWH filed graft cases against officials and contractors over project anomalies.
A consulting firm in Australia has certified that there are six flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, putting to rest rumors that the projects were “ghost projects.” Auditors did, however, point out a number of areas that need work.
“We checked that all six projects are actual, working, and at different levels of development by going to the sites. Annabelle Tungol, Master Environmental Auditor and licensed chemical engineer at Artea Green Ventures, said, “These have been audited and cleared of ghost project claims.” The Australian government website says that Artea Green Ventures offers compliance auditing, independent audits, ESG consultancy, and sustainable infrastructure solutions in both Australia and the Philippines.
The company works with Movementsoft Inc., an ICT provider that is now working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines. Tungol and four other auditors looked at six dikes and esplanades in Naujan that had been accused of being fake projects. Auditor Collin McPherson of JCM Solutions pointed out some problems from an Australian safety management point of view.
“Some problems have to do with safety gear for workers, exclusion zones, and design elements.” McPherson said, “Changes in these areas could make the projects last longer and be more durable.” The audit assessment showed that the projects mostly met design standards, with solar-powered lights and erosion protection already in place. It also discovered proof of active oversight and continuous talks with the community. Still, auditors found flaws in specific areas, such as exposed rebar, cracks in the concrete, and incorrect garbage disposal.
Most of these concerns were attributed to one unnamed contractor. The report noted that “even though ghost project claims were proven false, systemic reforms are still needed to protect the long-term integrity of flood control infrastructure.” The audit suggested stronger evaluations of contractors, required safety training for construction workers, and frequent independent audits to make things more open and build public trust.
The DPWH has already said that officials and contractors who were supposedly involved in strange flood control measures in Oriental Mindoro could be charged with a crime. Sunwest Inc., St. Timothy Construction Corporation, Elite General Contractor, and Development Corporation are some of the companies that have been tied to this. Vince Dizon, the Secretary of the DPWH, personally checked on the projects, but he said it was hard to find at least three of them that were listed in the 2024 national budget.
The DPWH filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday against 20 agency officials and four contractors for alleged corruption.
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