Manila: The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) is calling for tighter coordination between the national and local governments to prevent ghost infrastructure projects and ensure transparency in public spending. In an interview over Radio Pilipinas, LPP president and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. revealed several projects, some reported as completed, do not physically exist, while others bypass local proper planning mechanisms, particularly through 'insertions' made after projects are reviewed by Provincial and Regional Development Councils.
According to Philippines News Agency, these insertions, often added at the national level, result in projects that do not reflect the priorities of local governments. Tamayo said some governors were even denied access to project sites, raising concerns over accountability. He also highlighted that local government executives are no longer required to sign or approve acceptance of national government agency projects.
Tamayo elaborated, 'Nung nagmi-meeting kami na mga governors, marami palang mga projects na hindi namin alam na dumating sa amin (When we, governors, were in a meeting, we found out that there were many projects that we didn't even know had been implemented in our areas).' He said they support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s initiative to issue a directive reinstating the project acceptance to local executives to allow inspection and ensure specifications were followed.
The LPP represents all 82 provinces of the Philippines and serves as a unifying body for governors to advocate policies, share best practices, and strengthen provincial governance. As head of the organization, Tamayo emphasized that governors are ready to help monitor national projects in their respective areas.
Citing a Development Budget Coordinating Committee briefing, Tamayo noted that ghost flood control projects from 2023 to 2025 resulted in an estimated PHP42.3 billion to PHP118.5 billion in economic losses. Marcos has directed local governments to assist in validating national projects as part of a strengthened system of checks and balances.
Tamayo further stated, 'Ina-accept namin iyan ng buong puso na magiging katuwang kami ng national government dahil dapat lamang yung alignment ng national government at local government ay nandiyan para mapagtagumpayan natin yung inaasam na progresso at development at maging benepisyo iyan hindi lamang sa buong Pilipinas kung hindi ang mga locality na mayroon kami dito (We wholeheartedly accept the role of being a partner of the national government because there must be proper alignment between the national and local governments to achieve the progress and development we aspire for, as this will benefit not only the entire Philippines, but also the localities we serve).'
He also pushed for the expansion of the Department of Health's Zero Balance Billing program, currently available in 78 DOH-run hospitals, to local government facilities. He highlighted South Cotabato's pioneering 'cashier-less' hospital model, which provides free hospitalization even for major surgeries. Healthcare funds could be strengthened if wasted project allocations were redirected, he said.
