Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is calling for greater transparency and access to technical documents on government flood control projects (FCPs), following the release of initial project data on the SumbongSaPangulo.ph website.
In a Facebook post headlined with “A GOOD START, BUT WE NEED SOME MORE INFO,” Mayor Sotto acknowledged the progress brought by the platform, saying:
“Thanks to the new SumbongSaPangulo.ph website, we finally have a complete(?) list of DPWH flood control projects within our city. Some are minor like drainages, but there are some big ones. The implementing office also varies-- some are district, the bigger ones seem to be more UPMO.”
The Pasig Mayor said the website provides a list of project titles, costs, completion dates, and locations, which is already a big help for local governments like Pasig that often lack access to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) project data, especially for projects implemented by the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO).
However, he cautioned against drawing conclusions from the current dataset alone, stating that “The challenge is that we can't judge the completeness/quality of the projects with just this info. We don't want to just make a subjective judgment; we want real accountability. Kung kumpleto at maayos naman, eh di mabuti; kung may problema o may kulang, dapat malaman para maaksyunan.”
FOI Push and Public Monitoring
Sotto pushes for access to each project's Program of Works (POW) and Bill of Quantities (BOQ), noting, “Masusuri lang natin ng maayos ang isang proyekto kung meron tayong kopya nito.”
These documents, he said, contain crucial technical details, such as project length, material specifications, and construction standards, needed for meaningful assessment. Sotto also pointed to the value of reviewing the Detailed Unit Price Analysis (DUPA) and bidding documents, and raised concerns about the unclear designation of implementing offices in the published data.
Mayor Vico Sotto said the Pasig City government is taking formal steps to obtain detailed technical documents on flood control projects through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
“This weekend, after initial research, we are drafting an FOI REQUEST to secure the above-mentioned documents. We will formalize this request to the DPWH this week,” he said.
With these documents, Sotto noted the LGU can support oversight efforts and ensure accountability in project implementation, stating: “With these documents, the LGU will help the national government investigate within its jurisdiction. We'll also engage civil society organizations, especially for long-term monitoring. I met with one group today.”
He ended his statement with a continued commitment to transparency: “Will continue to update you.”
In August 2025, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee launched a motu proprio investigation dubbed “Philippines Under Water.” Among the allegations raised were “ghost” projects, contractor monopolies, and "license renting."
The DPWH then acknowledged ongoing validation of suspicious projects in Bulacan, and senators described the situation as systemic, calling it a “grand robbery” of public funds.
Currently, the Senate Committee is actively investigating through hearings and is likely to issue subpoenas for implicated contractors and officials.
