A broad coalition of church leaders, government officials, and business groups has formalized a new framework aimed at tightening oversight on public infrastructure spending and strengthening national budget safeguards.

The signing of a set of Implementing Rules and Regulations and a revised Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) has brought together Caritas Philippines, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Mayors for Good Governance and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

The agreement binding these groups outlines how dioceses across the country will participate in monitoring public works projects, creating a localized mechanism that combines church networks, local governments, and private sector expertise.

Institutionalizing public accountability

Supporters describe it as an attempt to institutionalize public accountability rather than rely solely on post-project audits.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the initiative reflects the administration’s push for greater openness in infrastructure spending.

“Transparency is the best disinfectant, and today, we are putting that into practice. President Marcos has been very clear: he is one with the Filipino people in ensuring that every single peso of our national budget goes exactly where it belongs — into projects that are truly needed by our countrymen,” Dizon said.

“This collaboration with Caritas and the private sector shifts DPWH from a culture of reactive auditing to a mindset of proactive prevention. When the public is part of the process from day one, corruption simply has no place to hide,” he added.

Under the MoC, Caritas Philippines will mobilize its parish and diocesan network to observe projects on the ground. The DPWH, for its part, will open up project data and processes for community-level scrutiny. Mayors aligned with Mayors for Good Governance are expected to facilitate coordination within local government units, while PCCI members will contribute private sector oversight and policy input.