• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has declared that there is no “ghost project” in the city.
He made the declaration in a television interview on Friday (Sept. 19) amid the scheduled joint inspection of the multi-sectoral group, Council of Concerned Citizens (CCC), with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Bacolod City, of flood control and drainage projects worth P652.5 million implemented from 2022 to 2025.
Benitez said one that caught his attention was the “cat’s eye” or solar studs project, with a proposed budget of P120 million, which was already stopped.
“That was inserted I think in 2024 or 2025. ‘Yun lang nakita ko. Otherwise, all the rest, walang ghost project,” he added.
However, Benitez stressed the need for more flood control projects in Bacolod City.
CCC convenor Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, in a letter addressed to Benitez, Mayor Greg Gasataya, and DPWH officer-in-charge District Engineer Leah Jamero, said the joint inspection initiative is anchored on the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Buenafe stressed the importance of the inspection, in order for the public to be assured that public funds for flood control are protected and spent in accordance with the law.
He added it must be determined that all projects from prior years, including from 2022 to 2025, are verified to be existing, functional, and constructed according to plans and specifications and issues of possible “ghost” projects, substandard work, overpricing, or double funding are addressed.
In response to the invitation, Benitez said he is willing to personally participate in the planned joint inspection of flood control and drainage projects in Bacolod City, adding that it is important for all Bacolodnons to be involved in the process.
The joint inspection is set on Sept. 22 and 23, with four projects scheduled each day. | GB
