Group to help DPWH monitor politicians using names in government projects

MANILA, Philippines - A civil society group has vowed to help the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) monitor the implementation of the policy banning the use of the name or image of politicians on signs in government infrastructure projects.

Vincent Lazatin, executive director of Bantay Lansangan, said the group’s volunteers nationwide will continue to monitor the compliance to the DPWH order.

“Scrutinizing the billboards is not new to our volunteers but this new policy will definitely give a new flavor to the monitoring practice. This change will impact on the public’s mindset on government projects and effect a depoliticization of public services,” Lazatin said in a statement.

Citing a 2009 study on external influences to road projects development in the DPWH, the group said elected officials took the most advantage of this governance blunder. Politicians would reason that this is their way of reporting to the public where government funds under their care go.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson issued early this month Department Order 57, directing Regional, District Engineering and Project Management Offices to adhere to the revised Standard Project Billboard format which should not include the name or image of any politician, even the President or any DPWH official.

Bantay Lansangan is a multi-stakeholder partnership that adheres to the principles of accountability, participation, predictability and consistency, transparency, commitment, and independence in pursuit of good governance in the Philippine road sector.