NO GHOST PROJECTS IN QC FIRST DISTRICT – ATAYDE

QUEZON CITY 1^st district Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde reiterated that there are no “ghost projects” in his district.

Atayde issued the statement following a personal inspection of seven flood control and drainage projects in his district.

“There are no ghost projects with us. There’s no ghost in District One. There’s no basis for claims that these exists. Maybe there’s just a need for proper coordination so information about the projects is accurate,” Atayde said after visiting sites in Bgy. Bahay Toro, Del Monte, Project 6, and San Antonio.

Atayde’s visit confirmed findings from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office, which stated in a September 19 letter that “all projects are verifiable on site,” referring to the seven projects questioned due to alleged lack of coordinates.

According to the DPWH, out of 66 alleged ghost projects reported in the media, only seven were located in Atayde’s district, where all of them were found to be completed or ongoing, with proper documentation, correct coordinates, and photographic evidence.

Verified projects included four flood control structures along Culiat Creek and Dario Creek in Bgy. Bahay Toro, rehabilitation of Drainage Road 3 in Project 6, the West Riverside Pumping Station in Bgy. Del Monte, and a flood control structure along San Francisco River in Bgy. San Antonio.

Atayde said five of the seven projects were completed, while two were suspended due to pending issues. He also visited two additional flood control projects to assess their status – one completed along Dario Creek and one suspended along Mariblo Creek.

Atayde assured to his constituents that public funds were used properly and allegations of ghost projects are “baseless.”

“The projects are not ghosts – they can be seen, touched, and are beneficial. It looks like Halloween came early for some people,” Atayde said.

He also called on those who accused him of benefiting from these projects to verify their information first.

Atayde emphasized he couldn’t benefit from these DPWH projects as they’re already in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), and he couldn’t unilaterally include them in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as he’s not a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee.

“We all want to end corruption and jail the corrupt, but we won’t succeed if we punish the wrong people,” the lawmaker said.

He further reiterated the DPWH’s assertion that there are no ghost projects in Atayde’s district.

“The evidence speaks for itself, and the evidence speaks the truth,” Atayde said.