Sen. Escudero files bill for infrastructure project transparency

Senator Francis Escudero has filed the Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act, a bill aimed at institutionalizing transparency and accountability in government infrastructure projects funded by the national budget.

The proposed Senate Bill No. 1461 seeks to ensure that only technically and financially viable infrastructure projects are included in the national budget.

Under the bill, all infrastructure projects will be required to incorporate technology-based mechanisms such as station numbers, geotagging, and geodetic coordinates for easy location tracking.

Escudero emphasized that geotagging is crucial for monitoring the actual progress of projects and preventing the release of funds for stalled initiatives.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that no government infrastructure project should be included in the national budget or implemented without a comprehensive feasibility study.