Vico pushes transparency, access to flood control documents

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has called for greater transparency and wider access to technical documents of flood control projects listed on the newly launched Sumbong sa Pangulo platform.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Sotto welcomed the release of project details but said more information is needed to ensure accountability.

"Thanks to the new sumbongsapangulo.ph website, we finally have a list of DPWH flood control projects within our city... but we can't judge the completeness or quality of the projects with just this info. We want real accountability," Sotto said.

The website currently provides project titles, costs, completion dates and locations.

While Sotto described this as a "big step," he said the local government cannot fully assess the projects without access to the program of works and bill of quantities.

"These documents show the exact details of a project — length, steel specifications and materials used," he said. "If everything is complete and in order, then good. But if there are problems or deficiencies, these must be addressed."

Sotto added that other documents such as the detailed unit price analysis and bidding papers would also be useful in evaluating the projects.

He further noted that the implementing offices — whether district-level or through the DPWH unified project management office — were not clearly identified in the online database.