The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is currently developing a public dashboard for infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) to enhance transparency and accountability among implementing agencies.

In a statement on Wednesday, NEDA said the dashboard aims to help identify and address constraints that may hinder the timely implementation of projects.

Earlier this year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved 194 high-impact IFPs worth PHP9 trillion, and around 123 projects will be initiated during the Marcos administration.

At present, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) tracks the progress of major transportation projects with respect to their right-of-way acquisition and construction.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), meanwhile, monitors the progress of strategic projects related to traffic decongestion, seamless and inclusive connectivity and sustainable and resilient communities.

NEDA said the monitoring system for IFPs is one of the agenda during the meeting of the government’s newly-created Economic Development Group (EDG).

The EDG, co-chaired by the Department of Finance (DOF) and NEDA secretaries, held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday to discuss about pressing economic issues.

The potential impact of the looming El Niño crisis, slow global economic growth, and developing domestic industries were also discussed during the meeting.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and NEDA proposed preparatory activities to help farmers cope with the looming El Niño phenomenon.

These measures include retooling and strengthening the government’s disaster response, weekly monitoring of local field conditions, conducting regional assessments, ensuring adequate buffer stocks and promoting early planting for the dry season in water deficit areas.

The authorities also cited the need to have dashboards of relevant socioeconomic and sectoral statistics to provide timely recommendations and policies related to importation and measures to address high food inflation in the country.

The dashboard will serve as a “single source of truth” to expedite data processing in government and to foster harmonization of initiatives across agencies.

“The Economic Development Group remains committed to ensuring that the country stays on track to meet its medium-term socioeconomic goals, despite domestic challenges and constraints and a weaker global growth outlook,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said. (PNA)