Davao occidental: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has filed formal complaints against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and contractors over PHP94 million worth of alleged ghost farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in Davao Occidental. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. lodged eight complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman following a thorough investigation and a seven-month case buildup.
According to Philippines News Agency, the complaints name DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo Larete, Project Engineer and OIC-Chief of Construction Section Joel Lumogdang, OIC-Assistant District Engineer Michael Awa, Quality Assurance Officer Jafel Faunillan, Acting Finance Chief Czar Ryan Ubungen, and a private contractor. They face charges of alleged corrupt practices, malversation, falsification of public documents, grave misconduct, and serious dishonesty. The charges are connected to a PHP11.94 million FMR project at Barangay Caburan, Jose Abad Santos, allegedly paid in full despite not being implemented.
The respondents reportedly falsified Statements of Work Accomplished (SWA), Certificates of Payment, and Disbursement Vouchers to make the project appear complete to facilitate the release of public funds. In an interview, Tiu Laurel expressed confidence in the strength of the evidence against the accused DPWH officials and contractors.
The alleged ghost projects, which were supposed to be constructed in 2021, could have significantly benefited local farmers by reducing their production and logistics costs, Tiu Laurel noted. He emphasized that the projects were neither completed nor implemented, with only dirt roads in place where cement and steel should have been.
In addition, another complaint was filed against the same DPWH officials and Masulot Construction, represented by Maligamama Medtamak, concerning the Brgy. Caburan Small FMR in Jose Abad Santos. This PHP11.92 million project was falsely certified as complete, despite field validation showing it was not implemented.
Additional complaints include DPWH officials Larete, Lumogdang, Villaver, Awa, Faunillan, Ubungen, and seven contractors regarding projects in Barangays Culaman, Datu Danwata, Demoloc, Tical, and Manuel Peralta. These projects have contract values ranging from PHP10.02 million to PHP14.92 million, with allegations of falsified documentation to secure payments for uncompleted work.
Tiu Laurel indicated that more complaints would be filed in the coming months over similar ghost projects. The DA is also conducting investigations in Guinobatan, Albay, and examining the potential involvement of local DA personnel.
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reported that 20 out of 1,241 validated FMR projects in various regions were not implemented. The DA has allocated PHP33 billion for 1,600 FMR projects by 2026, with a total of 6,428 projects worth PHP109.53 billion planned from 2021 to 2026. To date, 3,135 of these projects have reportedly been completed nationwide.
