Senator Chiz Escudero has filed Senate Bill No. 1461, the Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act, a measure designed to enforce stronger oversight and modern monitoring systems for government-funded infrastructure projects. The bill places accountability and transparency at the centre of public works financing.
The proposed law mandates that every infrastructure project undergo detailed feasibility studies and financial validation before being included in the national budget. It also prohibits “budget splitting,” where project funds are divided into smaller phases to avoid scrutiny. Escudero stated that only technically and financially sound projects should proceed.
To enhance project tracking, the bill requires technology-based tools such as geotagging, station numbers, and geodetic coordinates for all approved infrastructure projects. “Geotagging is one of the most important mechanisms for us to see the actual status of a project—whether something is really being done or if it’s just idle while the government continues to release funds,” Escudero said.
The measure was filed amid allegations tying Escudero’s name to flood control funding irregularities, which he has firmly denied. The senator described the accusations as a “well-orchestrated attempt to discredit the Senate” and reiterated his dedication to transparency and reform.
Escudero emphasized that the Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act seeks to institutionalise accountability and modernise the government’s infrastructure oversight. The bill is now under Senate review, marking a step toward cleaner, data-driven governance and stronger protection of taxpayers’ money.
