The Commission on Audit (COA) is pushing for the mandatory geotagging of all government infrastructure projects in every stage of construction to avert the incidence of “ghost” or non-existent public works.
Emphasizing the need for this innovation, COA said Tuesday it is fast-tracking the final approval of the Mandatory Geotagging for All Infrastructure Projects of National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, and Government Owned and Controlled Corporations policy.
Under the proposed policy, verifiable, location-based photographic evidence is required “at every stage of project completion and within the warranty period after completion.”
This means that no infrastructure project can be reported as completed, and that ideally, no payment may be released, unless the required geotagged photos are submitted and verified by COA auditing teams.
“This move is aimed squarely at eliminating ghost projects, stopping falsified billings, and ensuring the verifiable use of public funds,” COA said in a statement.
“The public has repeatedly demanded tighter safeguards against the misuse of funds, and this is our direct response. Geotagging will ensure that when the government pays for a project, we know exactly where it is, when it was done, and what was actually built,” COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said in the same statement.
COA said the initial draft of the new policy started in September this year and was shared with internal stakeholders in October for feedback.
Last November 7, the COA said the revised version was circulated to major implementing agencies for their technical and operational input.
“Let this be clear: the proper use of taxpayer funds is non-negotiable, and we will hold projects accountable to deliver measurable benefits,” COA said.
The COA has been submitting Fraud Audit Reports (FARs) on the alleged anomalous government flood control projects. These reports have been cited by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Office of the Ombudsman in filing cases against those allegedly liable for the flood control mess.
Last Saturday, the commission announced that it has filed four FARs with the ICI over what it described as “rampant irregularities” in Bulacan flood control projects amounting to P297 million.
COA’s conduct of the fraud audit is in response to the call of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to crack the whip on those behind substandard, if not “ghost” flood control projects during his fourth State of the Nation Address in July. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
