Technology to be used to combat ‘ghost projects’

Manila: The government said it will maximise the use of existing technology to defeat graft involving infrastructure projects.

According to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, the government will be using computer software as well as drones and cameras to monitor the progress in the construction of state projects.

“Hopefully, the Infra-Track app, which will be fully implemented next year, will combat ghost projects,” he said.

Ghost projects are infrastructure endeavours that are reflected only on plans but are not implemented in reality. It is a major cause of corruption, and is a huge draw on government funds that could have been channelled to meaningful endeavours.

Villar said Infra-Track app will capture photos using cameras or devices with built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) to ensure that all projects are in the right location and will serve as evidence of physical progress of projects.

Aside from the Infra-Track app, the government will also be using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to monitor government projects.

“All our regional and district offices are now transitioning to a new monitoring system — the Project and Contract Management Procedures and Application (PCMA), which would have a built-in geotagging feature. When we finish the transition this year, we expect to detect any ghost project [in] real time,” Villar said.

Under the system, the information provided by drones as well as satellites will enable geographic identification of photos, videos and their location through geo-tagging.

The geo-tagging capability also provides a more accurate measurement of project accomplishments or how much has already been accomplished.

“Drones are already being used in monitoring the project accomplishment of regional projects. We are now mandating our district offices to adopt the same technology,” Villar was quoted in reports as saying.

“The use of technology would serve as a strong deterrent against any possible future anomalies,” he added.

Corruption in government projects has been blamed for lack of adequate infrastructure that could spur development.