The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) is demanding stronger coordination between national and local governments to stop ghost infrastructure projects and ensure transparency in public spending.
In a radio interview Thursday, LPP president and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. revealed that several projects reported as “completed” do not physically exist, while others bypass provincial planning mechanisms through “insertions” made after review by Provincial and Regional Development Councils.
These insertions, made at the national level, often result in projects that do not reflect the priorities of local governments. Tamayo said some governors were even barred from accessing project sites, undermining accountability.
He noted that local executives are no longer required to sign off on or formally accept national government projects. “Nung nagmi-meeting kami na mga governors, marami palang mga projects na hindi namin alam na dumating sa amin,” Tamayo said.
The LPP welcomed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s plan to reinstate the authority of governors and local executives to accept and inspect national projects, ensuring they meet specifications before turnover.
Representing all 82 provinces, the LPP said governors are ready to help monitor national projects. Tamayo cited a Development Budget Coordinating Committee briefing showing that ghost flood control projects between 2023 and 2025 caused ₱42.3 billion to ₱118.5 billion in economic losses.
“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 progreso at development,” Tamayo added.
The governor also called for expanding the Department of Health’s Zero-Balance Billing program, now limited to 78 DOH-run hospitals, to local government facilities. He highlighted South Cotabato’s “cashier-less” hospital model, which delivers free hospitalization even for major surgeries, saying healthcare funds could be strengthened if wasted allocations from ghost projects were redirected.