Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde firmly denied allegations of irregularities in flood control and drainage projects within his district, emphasizing that there are no “ghost projects” under his watch.
On Tuesday, Atayde personally visited seven flood control and drainage projects located in Barangays Bahay Toro, Del Monte, Project 6, and San Antonio, asserting that all projects exist and are verifiable.
“Walang ghost projects sa atin. Walang multo sa Distrito Uno,” Atayde declared.
“Wala pong basehan ang mga sinasabi na ‘nonexistent’ ang mga ito. Baka kailangan lang ng maayos na coordination para sigurado ang impormasyon hinggil sa mga proyektong ito. To see is to believe.”
The inspection, he said, was meant to disprove accusations from certain groups that the projects were mere “drawings” or “nonexistent.”
According to a September 19 letter from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office, all seven projects in Atayde’s area are “verifiable” and can be physically found at their designated sites.
Out of the 66 alleged ‘ghost projects’ mentioned in media reports, seven were located in Atayde’s district. The DPWH confirmed that five have been completed, while two were halted due to unresolved issues, including the suspended work at Mariblo Creek.
The agency also stated that each project is well-documented with photographic evidence. These include:
- Four flood control projects along Culiat and Dario Creek in Barangay Bahay Toro,
- Drainage rehabilitation along Road 3, Project 6,
- A pumping station at West Riverside, Barangay Del Monte, and
- Another flood control project at San Francisco River, Barangay San Antonio.
“Ang mga proyektong ito ay hindi multo—makikita, mahahawakan, at napapakinabangan. Mukhang napaaga ang Undas para sa ibang tao,” Atayde quipped.
“Sana po bago magbintang, bago magturo, sana i-verify naman nila ang info nila. 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.”
Atayde reiterated that he did not personally benefit from any of the projects, as they are implemented directly by the DPWH. He also clarified that he is not a member of the House-Senate bicameral conference committee, and therefore has no power to insert projects into the national budget.
“Malaking tulong sa paglilinaw na mismong implementing agency (DPWH) ang nagsabi na walang ghost projects sa aming distrito. The evidence speaks for itself, and the evidence speaks the truth,” he said.
Through the inspection, Atayde said he hopes to put an end to misinformation and ensure that accountability efforts remain fair and fact-based.