ORMOC CITY – In an official statement dated September 3, 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) strongly denied recent claims that two of its major infrastructure projects in Albuera, Leyte are ghost projects.
The office vehemently denied the accusations regarding the Albuera, Leyte Fish Port and the Benolho Flood Control projects, stating that both are legitimate, government-funded projects with full supporting documentation.
The statement holds that a news interview that included footage of the Benolho Flood Control project—which the DPWH claims was filmed from a misleading angle—seems to have been the source of the issue. The agency explained that the apparent lack of activity was due to the fact that there was no construction slated for 2025 on the project, which was already finished in 2024.
On the one hand, for the Albuera, Leyte Port project, the actual accomplishment rate currently stands at 51.10%, which includes works such as structure excavation, shoring and cribbing, reinforcing steel (Grade 40), structural concrete (20.68 MPa), and sheet piles (steel). Moreover, the statement revealed that 25.50% of the project’s total funding has been disbursed.
Nevertheless, the DPWH identified a major obstacle that is presently impeding the project’s advancement, adding that the owner of the affected lot has abruptly denied access to the site, resulting in the entire suspension of construction works.
The agency also mentioned that some items, such as sheet piles and off-site reinforced steel bars, are ready for installation but have not yet been sent to the project site because of corrosion susceptibility and a lack of storage space. Furthermore, the coco lumbers that were seen at the location are unrenovated formworks from previously poured concrete capping that have sandbars covering them.
The official statement emphasized that all government projects, including flood control, are designed and carried out to protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and promote social equity, never for personal gain.
The 4th DEO of DPWH-Leyte is accordingly still dedicated to ensuring that all infrastructure projects are implemented correctly and are working with relevant parties to address any problems that may be impeding their timely completion. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail SEPTEMBER 1-7, 2025 issue)
