THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to collaborate on the implementation of the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation Project, or Project DIME.
Project DIME, one of the budget department’s digitalization flagship initiatives, fosters enhanced transparency by providing real-time visibility to project status and progress, improving accountability and reducing the risk of delays, the DBM said in a statement.
As agreed by the parties involved, the UP Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (UP-NOAH) Center will work together with the budget department to improve Project DIME by integrating disaster risk reduction strategies and ensuring that government projects are resilient to natural hazards, the DBM said.
On the other hand, the DPWH’s responsibilities include providing inputs for the enhancement of the DIME website, identifying infrastructure projects with substantial accomplishments visible at the project site, and collaborating with DBM on the display of obligation and disbursement rate of projects, among others.
Real-time updates
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said with the advent of technology, citizens’ demand for progress increases.
“In just one click, they can rightly demand for greater openness, transparency and accountability, especially for projects and initiatives that have significant impact in their lives,” she added. “And if our people demand for progress, then their government must be able to respond.”
In 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 31 institutionalizing the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP).
Among the approved commitments in the 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan is DBM’s program to establish an efficient and effective technology-enabled participatory validation and reporting mechanism for selected government infrastructure projects through the Project DIME.
“Today’s signing is a testament to our shared commitment to good governance, disaster resilience and inclusive development,” Peter Sy, UP vice president for digital transformation, said during the signing on May 20.
“By working together, we can ensure that the data for infrastructure projects will be consistent, comprehensive and shared in a way that fosters better public understanding,” DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, for his part, said.
Under the new partnership, the DPWH, through its Bureau of Construction, Finance Service, Information Management Service and Stakeholders Relations Service, will collaborate closely with the DBM to strengthen the DIME website.
Enhancing transparency
The DPWH said in a separate statement that this initiative focuses on enhancing transparency and accessibility through real-time project updates, multimedia content and Geographic Information Systems integration.
Continuous coordination between both agencies will ensure improved platform performance, field validation of data, responsible content management and targeted capacity-building interventions, the DPWH said.
