Sotto Wants DPWH Inspections Livestreamed on Social Media — Files Bill to Overhaul the Corruption-Plagued Agency

Senate President Vicente Sotto III just filed a bill that could change how the government monitors its infrastructure projects — by putting them on livestream. Senate Bill 1835 seeks to reorganize the Department of Public Works and Highways and create an infrastructure inspectorate team that would broadcast inspections of public works projects on official social media channels.

The measure is a direct response to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into 'ghost' flood control projects, where some lawmakers allegedly colluded with DPWH personnel to pocket funds meant for flood mitigation. Sotto said it's time to 'revisit the organization of DPWH to identify where the gaps are and where opportunities for corruption may lie.'

SB 1835 aims to rationalize the powers and functions of DPWH regional and district offices to achieve greater transparency and efficiency in public infrastructure governance. The idea of livestreaming inspections is a bold transparency move that would let ordinary Filipinos see for themselves whether projects are real or just on paper.

'As one of the departments receiving the largest budget allocations, Filipinos rightfully expect that every peso entrusted to the DPWH translates into safe, resilient, and responsive infrastructure,' Sotto emphasized in his filing statement.

The DPWH has long been one of the government's biggest spenders, making it a frequent target of corruption allegations. If passed, the bill could set a new standard for government accountability — imagine tuning into a Facebook livestream to watch inspectors check if that flood control wall in your barangay actually exists.

Source: The Manila Times