The Department of Transportation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Budget and Management to implement the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation (Dime) project, which allows citizens to monitor the government’s infrastructure projects through the website dime.gov.ph.
According to its website, Project Dime uses technologies such as satellites, drones, and geotagging to monitor major government projects, with the goal of enhancing transparency and accountability. It was initially launched in 2018 by the DBM together with the Department of Science and Technology to “address the challenge of monitoring high-value government projects.” It was terminated in December 2021 after the memorandum of agreement between the DBM and DOST expired, and a “change of priority plans” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DBM, in collaboration with the Philippine Open Government Partnership (OGP), later relaunched Project Dime in 2023 as part of its Digital Transformation Roadmap, “to enhance bureaucratic efficiency and ensure sound fiscal management.”
With the signing of the MOU, the DOTr will now be providing the DBM with detailed data on transportation infrastructure projects across its sectors, including the locations, status, and timelines. The DOTr will also conduct geospatial mapping and provide data and reports related to environmental impact assessments and social safeguards linked to transportation assets and facilities.
The public can also give feedback on a particular project by signing in with their Google accounts before posting comments.
“It is the order of the President that government projects should benefit the public. This system developed by the DBM and our partners in the academe will be instrumental in making sure that government projects will reach and benefit Filipinos,” said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon during the signing of the MOU.
Well-intentioned initiatives like Project Dime come and go, depending on the mood of the people in charge. However, when it is offered, what is important is that the public shows its appreciation by making the most of it, scrutinizing the information and participating in the process to ensure its success and longevity, so we can enjoy the positive impact that it should deliver.
Let our patronage and participation ensure that such initiatives do not go to waste or die a natural death.*
