Quezon city: The Quezon City government has submitted to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) the full report on its investigation into anomalous and questionable flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Joy Belmonte assured full cooperation with the ICI in its investigation into the irregularities in infrastructure projects and in ensuring accountability in the use of public funds through a social media post on Friday. President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. created the ICI to investigate flood control corruption within the last 10 years.
The post emphasized the local government's unity with the ICI's mission, highlighting Mayor Belmonte's commitment to addressing and rectifying the DPWH's flood control projects. It further stressed the mayor's support for the ICI's efforts to resolve issues causing hardship to the citizens.
On Thursday, Belmonte formally turned over the findings of the city-led investigation on the flood control projects to the ICI, which is led by former Supreme Court associate justice Andres Reyes Jr., former DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson, SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo, and its Special Adviser, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
The probe covered 331 DPWH projects in Quezon City from 2022 to 2025, amounting to PHP17 billion. Belmonte highlighted that only two of these projects had the necessary permits from the city, violating Ordinance SP-2939, S-2020, which mandates coordination between national agencies and local governments.
Additionally, the city discovered that 94 percent of the projects, valued at PHP16 billion, did not align with its Drainage Master Plan. Among these, 66 projects across several districts were identified as 'ghost projects,' meaning they were either invisible or the specified coordinates did not correspond to any existing project.
The investigation also uncovered misclassified and questionable projects, such as a PHP70-million sidewalk repainting listed as drainage improvement and a PHP350-million Matalahib Creek pumping station that reportedly exacerbated flooding in nearby areas. Another flood control project was found to have 92 undocumented phases.
Belmonte underscored the importance of accountability and proper governance, stating that the city would fully cooperate with the ICI to ensure that responsibility is established and future projects are scientifically planned.
Following the report's submission, Belmonte accompanied ICI officials and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on site inspections of various projects, including a flood mitigation structure along Culiat Creek, Mariblo Pumping Station, the drainage system in Barangay Tatalon, and a flood mitigation project along San Juan River.
