MANILA – Rehabilitation work in Boracay Island and the war-torn Marawi City should be livestreamed, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.
A government project using technology to monitor the progress of big-ticket infrastructure projects in real time may be pilot-tested in these areas, Recto said on Monday.
Project Digital Imaging for Monitoring and Evaluation (DIME) is a joint initiative of the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Science and Technology.
Project DIME involves the use of drones and satellite imaging, and employs data acquisition, including light detection and ranging, open roads platform, and geotagging, the DOST said.
Monitoring will ensure that the rehabilitation efforts are delivered on time and on budget, said Recto.
“If ‘remote monitoring’ is now being used by owners of houses being built, many of whom are abroad, then the same should be done on major government infrastructure projects,” he said.
“Job-site cameras should be installed and real-time footage be made available to the public,” he added. “If not, a time-lapse video can be uploaded daily.”
As for major infrastructure projects, Recto suggested that a “direct communication link” be installed in Malacañang so President Rodrigo Duterte can monitor them.
In addition, Duterte can convert one of the Palace halls into an infrastructure “war room” that would serve as a command center for the Build, Build, Build program, he said.
The war room may be linked to security cameras of transport hubs like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s command center so the President can monitor traffic situations anytime, said Recto.
“Raw live video is the best feedback,” he said. “Why wait for PowerPoint presentations during Cabinet meetings when the President can go on a virtual inspection of projects in the comfort of his office?”/PN
