Multisectoral groups on Monday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to strengthen infrastructure governance, enhance transparency and accountability, and reinforce public confidence in infrastructure development.
The MOC was signed by Secretary Vince Dizon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Bishop Gerardo G. Alminaza D.D. of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and Caritas Philippines (CBCP-Caritas); Ferdinand “Perry” Ferrer, president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“PCCI”); and Mayors Benjamin B. Magalong and Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte-Alimurong, representing the Mayors of Good Governance.
Based on the MOC’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, the parties expressly affirm that the partnership be implemented in a strictly non-partisan and non-political manner.
This MOC aims to institutionalize cooperation and information sharing by and between the parties to establish a coordinated mechanism for reporting and validating suspected “ghost” or anomalous projects nationwide.
The parties also agreed to facilitate the reporting of project information, including locations, contractors, funding sources, and implementation status.
They will also encourage community participation and third-party monitoring of infrastructure, and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in public infrastructure development.
Overall, the group seeks to combat corruption and ensure the proper use of public funds.
This MOC also specifies that they are not exclusive, rather each party may enter into other agreements or collaborations and pursue similar programs or arrangements with other entities to promote their objectives.
Under the cooperation, the parties agree to share the following types of information on infrastructure projects; project titles, locations, contract amounts, and contractors of DPWH-funded; project implementation status reports, inspection data, and findings of validation activities; verified reports and field documentation from CBCP-Caritas, PCCI and M4GG concerning alleged “ghost” or anomalous projects; and maps, photographs, and geo-tagged data relevant to field validation.
The parties will also establish together a joint mechanism to review the reports, provide feedback and ensure that issues are resolved promptly and transparently.
