The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday assured the public of a continued system overhaul of an online real-time tracker to ensure a more accurate and efficient monitoring of government-funded infrastructure, including flood control projects.

More government agencies are working with the DBM for the implementation of an enhanced Project DIME (Digital Imaging for Monitoring and Evaluation), a real-time web-based tool that allows the public to monitor infrastructure projects.

“[DBM] Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured the public that they can expect stronger and more efficient online monitoring of government infrastructure projects with the support of additional agencies collaborating on the implementation of the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation, or Project DIME,” the DBM said.

At a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects on Monday, Pangandaman noted that Project DIME undergoes continuous improvement to establish a technology-enabled validation and reporting mechanism for selected government infrastructure projects.

“Meron pong innovation ’yung sa Project DIME po natin. Hindi po ito kailangan ng satellite kung gusto pong mag-access. At ’yung unang innovation po dito, sinama na po natin ’yung UP, University of the Philippines, ’yung Project NOAH (There is an innovation in our Project DIME. It doesn’t require a satellite if you want to access it. And the first innovation here is that we have included the University of the Philippines’ Project NOAH),” she said.

In May 2025, the DBM signed a memorandum of understanding with UP and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to further strengthen the project’s implementation by integrating disaster risk reduction strategies and ensuring that government projects are resilient to natural hazards.

Pangandaman said the digital platform also enables stronger citizen participation by allowing the public to post feedback through the website.

She said there are ongoing talks with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Space Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Science and Technology for its improvement.

Pangandaman also expressed elation over lawmakers’ appreciation of the DBM’s efforts to improve transparency and citizen participation through technology.

“Natutuwa naman ako na nabalitaan nila ’yung ginagawa natin (I am happy that they are aware of what we are doing) for Project DIME. We will continue to collaborate with other agencies to make sure na magiging successful ’yung Project DIME natin (that our Project DIME is successful),” she said.

Project DIME is one of DBM’s flagship digitalization initiatives, promoting transparency by providing relevant information about project status and progress, including completion rates, funding sources, implementing agencies, and the names of contractors. (PNA)