Laurel raises missing road projects
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel revealed that officials allegedly failed to construct several farm-to-market road projects in Davao Occidental.
Laurel said the projects, implemented under the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2021 and 2022, failed to visibly materialize.
He disclosed the issue during a recent interview and stressed that he had formally reported the missing projects to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Local officials admit road shortage
Jose Abad Santos Mayor Jason John Joyce admitted their municipality suffers from poor road development, affecting overall progress and local economic activity.
Joyce acknowledged reports about provincial road projects declared completed despite issues and stated they remain open to any official investigation.
He added the lack of reliable roads continues hampering transportation, trade, and agricultural distribution, leaving residents dependent on substandard infrastructure for daily movement.
Media verification confirms concerns
A Brigada Davao news team independently experienced poor road conditions during a southern Davao Occidental visit, verifying community complaints about inaccessible routes.
Reporters observed muddy, unpaved stretches and unfinished pathways that directly contradicted national agency claims of successfully completed projects.
Local residents also expressed frustration, sharing stories of hardships in transporting goods, accessing health services, and traveling to other towns due to poor infrastructure.
Previous ghost projects exposed
This controversy follows revelations of a ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental worth ₱96.5 million, earlier flagged by DPWH investigators.
The recurrence of alleged anomalies raised questions regarding oversight, transparency, and accountability in infrastructure projects reportedly funded under previous years’ allocations.
Authorities plan to launch a deeper investigation into the missing road projects to determine accountability and prevent fund misuse.
