Senator Kiko Pangilinan has introduced new digital transparency measures aimed at enhancing accountability in the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). These initiatives are intended to address inefficiencies in the agricultural and irrigation sectors.
Pangilinan emphasized the importance of a newly proposed infrastructure transparency dashboard. This system will enable public access to track every farm-to-market road and bridge project in terms of budget allocation and timelines. “Mas madali nang makita ng tao kung saan napupunta ang pera nila. That is evidence of good governance and transparency,” Pangilinan said. He chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.
In addition to this, Pangilinan announced that the DA and NIA would soon roll out a citizen participatory audit program in collaboration with the Commission on Audit (COA). This will allow the public to take an active role in monitoring the real-time progress of government projects.
The senator expressed his support for initiatives to improve internal auditing processes and open access to procurement and project data. He also welcomed the use of digital tools designed to reduce red tape and curb irregularities in project implementation. Pangilinan underscored the significance of these efforts, stating that transparency reforms are crucial for ensuring that government programs benefit farmers, fisherfolk, and urban communities effectively.
As these mechanisms begin to take shape, the public is poised to see an enhanced, more accessible process for tracking the allocation and usage of government funds in key sectors.
