By Brian Campued
The government has launched a multi-department initiative aimed at tracking the progress of key infrastructure projects, including the flood control works amid mounting public scrutiny and investigation on the use of funds.
Dubbed the Project DIME (Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-led platform uses technologies such as satellites, drones, and geotagging to monitor the status of major projects.
According to DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Project DIME was initiated in 2018 but did not materialize into an actual project. It was then revived in 2023 and officially relaunched in May 2025.
During Wednesday’s launching of the Flood Control Project Components (FCPC) of the Project DIME in Pasay City, Pangandaman noted that the goal of the initiative is to enhance budget transparency and accountability as well as encourage citizen participation to ensure that the public funds are well-spent, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“Kabilin-bilinan po ng ating Pangulo na kung ano ang pinopondohan natin, let’s make sure na makarating sa ating mga kababayan sa lalong mas madaling panahon,” she said.
“Pinaka importante po dito na component ay ‘yong public participation, puwedeng-puwede po kayong mag-log, magbigay ng komento, magbigay ng input doon sa website, sa system,” she added.
The DBM chief also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Transportation, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Education, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to strengthen inter-agency collaboration for the new component of the digital tracker.
Pangandaman, along with DOTr Sec. Vince Dizon, DICT Sec. Henry Aguda, DepEd Usec. Mel John Versoza, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes, and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano likewise inspected the Tripa De Gallina Pumping Station, the largest pumping station in the National Capital Region.
The rollout of the FCPC comes as the President intensifies probe into alleged irregularities and anomalies in flood control projects across the country.
On Aug. 11, Marcos unveiled the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, where the public can access information and report questionable flood control projects in their communities.
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